What is masking? Who me? In my picture today, I’m covering my face with my hands. Is the masking we are talking about on the outside? No of course not. Masking for Neurospicy, neurodivergent people can be as simple, for instance as a person with dyslexia, or cognitive challenges pretending to understand instructions, but then not being able to complete a project. One of my collegues with cognitive dissonance (basically, needs instruction repeatedly, and lots of clarifying questions) was often cited for not following through with projects. I knew them and knew that they spent hours going down the wrong path, then starting over again. Making time to clarify, ask questions and give return demonstrations really helps. They were masking, pretending to understand, when they didn’t have a clue!
Do you ever arrive really early, to not let anyone know you have time challenges? Do you ever nod and make what you think are appropriate gestures or facial gestures? Do you ever practice responses and have scripted responses? Has anyone ever told you that you can’t “read the room”?
Let’s make time to explore masking soon. My mask isn’t too effective today is it? The picture is crooked too, ain’t life great?
Please check out this nifty website, it has a variety of resources. I have subscribed to the newsletters and information free. The mission is to make the world more accessible.
Be aware that they do have lots of product upgrades, AI tools for dictation and other upgrades. They are based in Bristol England… Cheers
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