Existential Reflections on Autistic Masking: A Heideggerian Approach

ABSTRACT Autistic masking has emerged as a pivotal topic of contemporary debate, highlighting the concealment of one's authentic self – a process that often leads to inauthenticity. While the negative impacts of masking are widely acknowledged, the nuanced role of inauthenticity within this phenomenon, particularly its dialectical relationship with authenticity, remains underexplored. In this article, I build on empirical work published by scholars in Psychology, Sociology, Psychiatry, and other fields to argue that, informed by Heidegger's philosophical insights, the act of masking – an attempt to blend in with non‐autistic individuals – can paradoxically facilitate the growth of the authentic self. Rather than viewing the authentic and inauthentic selves as opposing forces, I propose that they coexist in a dynamic interplay for individuals with autism. The autistic self does not exist as an isolated ‘I’ in authenticity. Instead, autistic individuals can only experience their authentic selves through social interactions with others. Furthermore, Heidegger's concepts illuminate how autistic individuals often grapple with anxiety and feelings of uncanniness in interactions with non‐autistic peers; these existential moods can drive them toward a more genuine self‐expression. Consequently, navigating the delicate balance between their authentic and inauthentic selves becomes essential during social interactions. Equally important is the role of non‐autistic individuals in cultivating inclusive attitudes and supportive environments that enable diverse behavioral expressions and interaction styles within mixed neurotypical relationships.