In today’s episode, Alan talks to Dr Amy Pearson, a senior lecturer at the University of Sunderland. Her primary interest is how we use information from the world around us to communicate and socialise with other people, as well as the experience of the world affecting people with autism. Amy co-wrote an article with Kieran Rose, that was published in the academic journal, Autism in Adulthood in January 2021. The article focused on what is known as masking, and the illusion of choice that autistic people feel by trying to fit in wider society, caused by the perceived stigma of autism.

Amy describes how masking occurs, specifically where autistic people imitate the mannerisms of non-autistic people, which often starts at primary school, and explains why they do this. Alan and Amy also discuss the pitfalls of masking, and how it can negatively affect an autistic person’s mental and physical health. Amy finally gives her advice as to what parents and caregivers can do to make things easier for autistic people.