Dropping the mask: It takes two.
Julia M Cook, Laura Crane, William Mandy
PMID 37403917WHAT IT FOUND
Autistic adults described socialising authentically as a shared effort.
It required non-autistic partners to accept different communication styles, avoid demanding eye contact, and ask for clarification instead of assuming rudeness. These interactions reduced anxiety and exhaustion compared to masking.
Key findings
01Authentic-feeling socialising is an interpersonal process that depends on non-autistic partners understanding and accepting autistic ways of communicating.
02Specific behaviours that enable authentic interaction include non-autistic partners refraining from demanding eye contact, avoiding criticism of autistic communication, and asking for clarification rather than making assumptions.
03Participants reported that socialising authentically reduced anxiety, stress and cognitive exhaustion compared to camouflaging, though some still worried about negative outcomes.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The sample was predominantly White, university-educated, and employed, which may mean participants faced less stigma and had more access to supportive contexts than other autistic people. All authors were non-autistic, and while community consultation occurred, autistic people were not involved in the data analysis stage. The study relied on self-report surveys, so findings reflect participants' perceptions rather than observed interactions. Participants were recruited from a database, which may attract individuals more comfortable with research participation.
Declared interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest. Funding was provided by a doctoral scholarship from University College London for one author.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these themes as evidence that specific interventions improve clinical outcomes. This is a qualitative exploration of lived experience, not a trial testing a therapy. The findings describe what participants valued in relationships, not what causes measurable changes in health or function.