TY - SER AU - Hewitson, Jessie TI - Behind the mask: do autistic men mask as much as autistic women? T2 - Your Autism Magazine CY - 2018 KW - AUTISM KW - MASKING KW - GENDER DIFFERENCES KW - MENTAL ILLNESS N2 - Explains that masking is when an autistic person pretends to be non-autistic. It is currently thought that women mask more than men but the author of this article, from experiences with her eight year old son, questions whether this is in fact the case. Points out that the consequences of masking are severe and can result in mental health problems. Suggests that "for parents and carers who are interested in how they help their autistic child be happy, allowing them to be their true selves and putting less pressure on them to mask is the best way we can help them - regardless of gender." ER -