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Understand Autistic Masking

An autistic child who copes at school but falls apart at home may be masking, and you can help them feel safe to stop.

  • 25 minutes
  • 7 modules
  • 0.5 CPD hours
  • Certificate

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What you'll learn

  • Spot the signs that a child may be masking at school
  • Use the PACE approach to give a child a safe space with a key adult
  • Learn a child's subtle signs of distress by working with their parents
  • Make adjustments such as exit passes discreet enough that a child will use them
  • Review behaviour and attendance policies that push children to keep masking

About this course

Some autistic children put on a remarkable performance at school. They copy a popular classmate, never cry and never ask for help, then come apart the moment they get home. When a parent describes meltdowns you've never seen, it's easy to assume the problem can't be at school.

Taught by an autism specialist, this course shows you what masking looks like and why it matters. It can hold up diagnosis and support, and years of it can end in autistic burnout and a child who stops coming in. You'll learn the quieter signs to watch for and how the PACE approach gives a child a safe space with a trusted adult. You'll also see why an exit pass that makes them stand out may never get used.

Then there's the school around the child, including behaviour and attendance policies that push children to keep the mask on.

  • For early career teachers, middle leaders and 5 other roles. All phases.

7 modules

Open in order

  1. Introduction

    1 min

  2. Wrap up

    2 min

  3. What is autistic masking?

    5 min

  4. How can we get under the mask?

    5 min

  5. Why are we concerned?

    6 min

  6. How school adjustments need to be adjusted!

    1 question

    5 min

  7. How can a whole school approach support autistic learners?

    5 min