How Unmasking Helps Neurodivergent Employees to Work Better
by Kimberly Van Ryn as featured on The Expert Talk
Masking at work; it’s a big concept to unpack, but if we start with the definition and energy of the word “masking” we might be able to travel quickly to the heart of this trauma-based behavior at work. Let’s start here –
Mask:
- Cover or partial cover for the face used for disguise
- A grotesque false face worn at carnivals or in rituals
- Something that conceals from view
Now consider this –
Neurodivergent Masking: For many neurodivergent people, masking is a survival tool for engaging in neurotypical societies and organizations. Masking (also called camouflaging) is the artificial performance of social behaviors deemed more “socially acceptable” in a neurotypical culture.
