Neuronormativity refers to privileged neurotypical assumptions of which behaviours, norms and attitudes are given precedence in society (Catala, 2023). Autistic/ADHD individuals who may differ from neuronormative protocols relating to eye contact, prosody, processing style and conversational flow are often encouraged to modify their natural communication style and behaviours. The ‘double empathy problem’ (Milton, 2012) reframes the challenges faced in interactions between autistic and non-autistic individuals as primarily mutual and interpersonal issues rather than as social communication disorders. Historically many autism/ADHD approaches have focused on addressing perceived deficits. These deficit-based interventions, along with widespread neuronormative stigma, promotes masking as a form of identity management by autistic/ADHD individuals. Masking involves suppressing aspects of one’s identity in order to ‘fit in’ (Miller et al., 2021). Masking negatively impacts autonomy, self-perception, self-esteem and detracts from specialised skills and passions of autistic/ADHD individuals (Milton & Sims, 2016; Vohra et al., 2017). Masking contributes significantly to the higher rates of depression and anxiety faced by autistic and ADHD individuals, with the rate of suicidality thirteen times higher for autistic women without an intellectual disability (Hirvikoski et al., 2020) and 11 times higher for ADHD children diagnosed with ADHD (Lin et al., 2024) than their corresponding neurotypical cohort regardless of other cooccurring factors.

This professional reflection around ‘unmasking’ for social change and neurodivergent wellbeing will include ideas and the lived experience of members from the Post Ableist Collective (PAC). The presenter/s will challenge some common neuronormative assumptions and share examples of how they personally avoid masking to create safer space for neurodivergent participants. Being open about one’s identity, creates opportunities where sensory and communicative traits can be better understood, shared and celebrated. This practical presentation will advance professional knowledge, sharing neurodiversity-affirming approaches which prioritise autonomy, creativity and promote a positive sense of identity.