Toward Sensory Accounts of Autistic Masking: A Perspective
Abstract
Autistic masking has typically been understood as the suppression of natural Autistic traits within neuronormative social contexts. However, social interactions are inherently embedded within broader sensory environments, highlighting the need to consider how sensory experiences shape masking processes. Although sensory experiences have been recognized within existing masking research, the sensory dimensions of masking remain comparatively underexplored. In this perspective, we examine sensory masking as an interrelated dimension of broader Autistic masking processes, defined as the conscious or subconscious suppression, inhibition, or override of sensory responses to meet environmental or social expectations. Drawing on recent research and our own lived experience, we describe how these sensory dimensions may emerge developmentally, often as a learned adaptation to unsafe or invalidating experiences. We then consider the cumulative effects of sustained sensory masking. While sensory masking may serve a functional purpose, its chronic and persistent engagement may contribute to burnout and negatively impact well-being and mental health, particularly in the context of prolonged exposure to sensory aversive environments. We also distinguish these sensory dimensions from related processes of sensory self-regulation and sensory unmasking, which involve supporting regulation and reclaiming autonomy through safe sensory self-expression. We conclude by outlining constructive approaches that support sensory safety, self-regulation, and well-being, and propose future research directions to explore the mechanisms, impacts, and potential supports associated with the sensory dimensions of masking.
Versions
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BibTeX
@misc{poulsen2026toward,
title = {{Toward Sensory Accounts of Autistic Masking: A Perspective}},
author = {Rebecca Poulsen and Melanie Heyworth and Timothy Chan and Diana Tan},
howpublished = {PsyArXiv},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.31234/osf.io/dgh86_v2},
url = {https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/dgh86_v2/},
note = {CC0},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Toward Sensory Accounts of Autistic Masking: A Perspective
AU - Rebecca Poulsen
AU - Melanie Heyworth
AU - Timothy Chan
AU - Diana Tan
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/29
PB - PsyArXiv
DO - 10.31234/osf.io/dgh86_v2
UR - https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/dgh86_v2/
AB - Autistic masking has typically been understood as the suppression of natural Autistic traits within neuronormative social contexts. However, social interactions are inherently embedded within broader sensory environments, highlighting the need to consider how sensory experiences shape masking processes. Although sensory experiences have been recognized within existing masking research, the sensory dimensions of masking remain comparatively underexplored. In this perspective, we examine sensory masking as an interrelated dimension of broader Autistic masking processes, defined as the conscious or subconscious suppression, inhibition, or override of sensory responses to meet environmental or social expectations. Drawing on recent research and our own lived experience, we describe how these sensory dimensions may emerge developmentally, often as a learned adaptation to unsafe or invalidating experiences. We then consider the cumulative effects of sustained sensory masking. While sensory masking may serve a functional purpose, its chronic and persistent engagement may contribute to burnout and negatively impact well-being and mental health, particularly in the context of prolonged exposure to sensory aversive environments. We also distinguish these sensory dimensions from related processes of sensory self-regulation and sensory unmasking, which involve supporting regulation and reclaiming autonomy through safe sensory self-expression. We conclude by outlining constructive approaches that support sensory safety, self-regulation, and well-being, and propose future research directions to explore the mechanisms, impacts, and potential supports associated with the sensory dimensions of masking.
ER -