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[bitterboysystem]

MASKING MYTHS BUSTED: “Masking = Acting NT.”

FALSE.

Autistic masking does not necessarily mean “pretending to be allistic/neurotypical," although you’d definitely be forgiven for thinking it does.

Non-autistic researchers have been referring to it as “camouflaging” for years, framing it as an intentional choice to suppress autistic traits and replace them with allistic ones in order to “blend in.” Doing an internet search on the term will return several similar results.

But now, Autistic researchers are in the game, and their take is much more nuanced and comprehensive than that. (Funny how that happens, isn’t it?)

They’ve found that:

- It CAN be intentional but is often subconscious and involuntary 

- It is a protective response to trauma and feeling unsafe 

- It is often about suppressing more than just autistic traits 

- It is about identity management and being able to predict how people will treat you, not just “blending in”

Some people will lean into being “the bad kid” because they know that’s what people expect of them. Some people will even act “more autistic” because they know that’s what people expect of them. Others still will do things to attract attention in controllable, more “acceptable” ways to avoid attracting attention in unsafe, more stigmatizing ways. Not because they WANT to be that way, but because it lets them predict people’s responses better, which feels safer.

Also, there are Autistic people who can’t “pass” for non-autistic no matter how hard they try. That doesn’t mean they’re not masking. They may actually be working hard to suppress A LOT, they just can’t do everything to neuronormative standards.

None of these people will be accused of “blending in,” yet they are still masking their hearts out. When we assume they are not, we miss all the harm that masking is causing them. But they are suppressing themselves and suffering the consequences of that just as much as any Autistic person whose mask successfully says, “Hey, I’m just like you!”

(For more on this, please see the work of Dr. Amy Pearson and Kieran Rose.)

[bitterboysystem]

sorry i cant hang out i forgot how to mimic human like behaviour

[bitterboysystem]

[bitterboysystem]

it’s ok if you never want to tell anyone about your plurality.

it’s ok if you want to tell lots of people about your plurality.

for many systems, being plural is a vital part of their identity, but this means different things for different systems. some may want to protect this part of themselves and keep it hidden, while others may want to be open about it.

you are a valid system regardless of whatever you choose.

[bitterboysystem]

for the system ask game: 17 and 21 please :3

Such a late reply sorry anon-- 17) What is something that system members have very different opinions on? This is a deep question but I'd say how to go about our daily life styles and our own personal inner guidance. For example: one person would rather dress practical for weather while the other couldn't care and dress for fashion. Another example would be our biggest struggle is with Vices and Addictions some are heavily against being under any influences while others will go ahead and drink/smoke. 21) Running jokes within the system? I'd say most running jokes would be anything that had to do with Emmett, Zain and Momo all best friends while still driving each other insane. A cute running joke is Hali when shes excited about something she'll sing it and it will get into other's heads and they'll begin singing it as well. just at random moments and its always a good laugh. Thank you for asking Anon<3 --V

[bitterboysystem]

Multiple System Ask Meme

1) How many system members are there?

2) Youngest member? Oldest?

3) Any friendships within the system?

4) Any relationships within the system?

5) Does your system have a name?

6) Any fictives or factives in the system?

7) What does the headspace/inner world look like? Is it just one building/area, several, or more?

8) Do members have separate rooms/areas? Does anyone share a room?

9) Any unused rooms/areas?

10) Unexplored rooms/areas?

11) Who likes/dislikes being in the headspace/inner world?

12) Any members who never leave the headspace/inner world?

13) What do members do in the headspace?

14) Is anyone religious? What are their religions?

15) Who cofronts the most often (what group/pair)?

16) Are there any otherkin in the system?

17) What is something that system members have very different opinions on?

18) Does anyone talk with a different voice in the outer world? In the inner world?

19) Favourite part of the inner world/headspace?

20) Least favourite part of the inner world/headspace?

21) Running jokes within the system?

[bitterboysystem]

*35 minutes of silence*

*jigsaw voice* Ohhhhmygod ahaha you’re not gonna believe it, I forgot to press the button on the speaker. I’ve been explaining the game for like, twenty minutes, wondering why you weren’t doing anything. Well, you have ten minutes left. Uh sorry about that.

[bitterboysystem]

[bitterboysystem]

damn really wanting a romantic autumn and winter im a hopeless romantic and im over here hopelessly single

[bitterboysystem]

bad news guys i've developed the habit of just giving a thumbs-up whenever i see anything i like. this includes things i like online

[bitterboysystem]

[bitterboysystem]

Shoutout to all the headmates who've recently come out of dormancy!

Dormancy can be a scary topic. At the same time though, coming out of dormancy can be cause for celebration! So here's to the ones who have done that recently!

Shoutout to headmates that were gone for days, weeks, months, even years or decades!

The ones that came back drastically different, and the ones that came back like no time had passed at all!

The ones that were really confused at everything that's happened, and others who got back knowledge of stuff pretty fast!

To those who don't remember their past lives before dormancy, and the ones who know exactly who they are!

No matter where you are on the spectrum, we welcome you back, and wish you the best of times now that you're here again! Here's to the future!

🖤💜💙💚💛

[bitterboysystem]

on this day one year ago someone sewed a fried egg to a tshirt

[bitterboysystem]

Seeing the Lego character icons lowkey made me think of alters in a system

Meanwhile polyfrag systems are more like:

Honestly I've been hesitant about making more DID memes due to the fake claiming but hell with it.

–John

[bitterboysystem]

[bitterboysystem]

thinkin about the chosen one story told from the pov of the person standing next to them again. thinkin about the one who has to stand by and watch the chosen one become a weapon, a sacrifice, an offering to the machinations of plot and can do nothing but make sure they’re fed and rested and soothe them when they wake up screaming from nightmares. thinkin about the fierce devotion that has to exist to follow someone to the end of the world just so they don’t have to die alone. thinkin about the terror they’d feel every step of the journey knowing it’s not their place to change how the story plays out. thinkin thinkin thinkin.

[bitterboysystem]

A princess