I feel like the thing NTs may do that may be similar to actual autistic masking, because a physical issue is having to be covered up:
* When a drunk/stoned NT is trying to "maintain" so that they do not seem drunk or stoned.
* When an NT who is exhausted, in pain, physically ill, or deeply depressed, must maintain the illusion that they are not these things, including overcoming flat affect, trying to seem like "their head is in the game," etc. as many lose support systems due to behavior while exhausted, in pain, physically ill, or deeply depressed. (This experience may contribute to the mistaken NT impression that an autistic is a sick/distressed NT.)
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"A book must be the axe for the frozen sea inside us." - Franz Kafka
ASD (dx. 2004, Asperger's Syndrome) + ADHD