Dropping the mask: It takes two

TY - JOUR

T1 - Dropping the mask

T2 - It takes two

AU - Cook, Julia

AU - Crane, Laura

AU - Mandy, William

PY - 2023/7/5

Y1 - 2023/7/5

N2 - In some social situations autistic people feel pressure to modify their innate social behaviour (i.e., camouflage) whilst in other social situations they feel free to engage in ways that that feel authentic or true to themselves. To date, the latter aspect of autistic people’s experience has rarely been explored. Using an online qualitative survey, the current study examined 133 autistic people’s experiences and perspectives of socialising in ways that felt authentic to them, with a particular focus on mixed-neurotype interactions and the role of non-autistic people. Using reflexive thematic analysis four themes were generated: (i) embracing diverse communication styles, interests and perspectives; (ii) creating a more inclusive mixed-neurotype social environment together; (iii) minimising and managing mixed-neurotype miscommunication in mutually beneficial ways; and (iv) enjoyable interactions involving reduced anxiety and exhaustion as well as genuine connection and rapport. These findings are discussed with reference to theory and research involving the construct of authenticity both in and outside the field of autism research. The knowledge generated in this study illuminates a previously under-explored aspect of autistic people’s experience and elucidates potential avenues through which to enhance the social experiences and wellbeing of this group.

AB - In some social situations autistic people feel pressure to modify their innate social behaviour (i.e., camouflage) whilst in other social situations they feel free to engage in ways that that feel authentic or true to themselves. To date, the latter aspect of autistic people’s experience has rarely been explored. Using an online qualitative survey, the current study examined 133 autistic people’s experiences and perspectives of socialising in ways that felt authentic to them, with a particular focus on mixed-neurotype interactions and the role of non-autistic people. Using reflexive thematic analysis four themes were generated: (i) embracing diverse communication styles, interests and perspectives; (ii) creating a more inclusive mixed-neurotype social environment together; (iii) minimising and managing mixed-neurotype miscommunication in mutually beneficial ways; and (iv) enjoyable interactions involving reduced anxiety and exhaustion as well as genuine connection and rapport. These findings are discussed with reference to theory and research involving the construct of authenticity both in and outside the field of autism research. The knowledge generated in this study illuminates a previously under-explored aspect of autistic people’s experience and elucidates potential avenues through which to enhance the social experiences and wellbeing of this group.

U2 - 10.1177/13623613231183059

DO - 10.1177/13623613231183059

M3 - Article

SN - 1362-3613

JO - Autism

JF - Autism

ER -