Masking ADHD
I recently had an “a-ha” moment.
As an ADHD mentor with ADHD myself, I’m continuously learning about the condition. I’m aware that ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) share symptoms.
I recently heard an example that stopped me in my tracks, literally. I was listening to a podcast while out for a run. It wasn’t a podcast about ADHD or ASD.
Pete Holmes had Hannah Gadsby on his podcast, You Made It Weird. One comedian interviewing another.
Masking autism
In speaking about the differences between ASD in boys and girls and her own experiences, Gadsby — diagnosed only four years ago — used the word “masking”. Here’s how Gadsby defined it:
Girls on the spectrum observe the behavior of others around and mimic.
Hearing this was the big A-HA moment for me.
I did some further research that included the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, among other sources.
It turns out that girls with ASD will try to go along and imitate what they see to seem “normal” and fit in. It’s a coping mechanism that falls under a concept called “camouflaging”.
