Jade Farrington (she/her)

Delving into the Complexity of Unmasking Safely Based on the webinar by Jade Farrington & Kieran Rose, The Autistic Advocate

Find out what Autistic masking is really all about; why people do it; and the complexity of unmasking in this piece I co-authored with @kieranrose.bsky.social

jadefarrington.substack.com/p/delving-in...

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🎭 It gives the impression that it's a conscious - and potentially manipulative - choice. Very little masking is actively chosen.

🎭 It suggests that Autistic people can simply unmask and become their 'authentic selves', and that if they don't then they just need to try harder.

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🎭 It leads to narratives such as the idea that those with higher support needs can't or don't mask. Many Autistics can't 'act neurotypical', but everyone masks in one way or another - even babies.

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There's a harmful myth that Autistic masking is about appearing neurotypical. https://jadefarrington.substack.com

In reality, this is just a tiny part of it. Most masking is unconscious, and is about projecting acceptability. It may even involve acting 'more' Autistic!

So why is this misconception harmful?

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The holidays can be a difficult time for many ND people.

That's why we created A Community Guide to a Happy Neurodivergent Christmas - free for everyone to download.

Join us for a relaxed, cosy & low demand online Xmas event in aid of Autistic Inclusive Meets.

www.eventbrite.com/e/winter-hol...

Jade Farrington and I have published a new piece exploring #Autisticmasking and what 'unmasking' safely actually involves.

It brings together research, context and practical reflections often missing from mainstream discussions.

jadefarrington.substack.com/p/delving-in...

🎉 TWO FREEBIES FOR YOU! 🎊 🎄 A Community Guide to a Happy Neurodivergent Christmas second edition is a 78-page ebook featuring dozens of neurodivergent advocates, parents and professionals. It's packed with ideas and validation for a festive season that works for you. https://jadefarrington.substack.com/p/download-the-2nd-edition-of-a-community 🎭 Delving Into the Complexity of Unmasking Safely takes an in depth look at what Autistic masking really is, why we do it, whether it's safe to unmask, and how to go about it https://jadefarrington.substack.com/p/delving-into-the-complexity-of-unmasking

🎉 TWO FREEBIES FOR YOU! 🎊

🎄 A Community Guide to a Happy Neurodivergent Christmas second edition: jadefarrington.substack.com/p/download-t...

🎭 Delving Into the Complexity of Unmasking Safely: jadefarrington.substack.com/p/delving-in...

Online Winter Holiday Community Event Join me on Wednesday, December 3rd from 6.30 to 8.30pm

If the festive period can be a difficult time for you, come and join us online on Wednesday for a cosy and relaxed community event.

Run by neurodivergent people for ND people and allies.

Details and tickets at open.substack.com/pub/jadefarr...

Delving Into the Complexity of Unmasking Safely

NEW article: Delving Into the Complexity of Unmasking Safely offers insights from the webinar @kieranrose.bsky.social and I ran on Autistic masking.

🎭 What is it really?
🤔 Why do we do it?
🛑 Can we safely stop?

jadefarrington.substack.com/p/delving-in...

Unauthorised Absence 🎥🚸 Parents & Schools in a SEND Crisis From lived experience to national action, Jo’s script inspires empathy & change for SEND children & families harmed by education policy

Unauthorised Absence Film 🎥🚸
Parents & Schools in a SEND Crisis - children & families harmed by education policy

Please make a pledge to support this film and please share this content with anyone else who might be able to support and/or donate

www.kickstarter.com/projects/nat...

Thank you very much for spreading the word!

A Community Guide to a Happy Neurodivergent Christmas https://jadefarrington.substack.com

Wow! Just received a message from someone who's read A Community Guide to a Happy Neurodivergent Christmas & wants to send it to 1000s of parents & professionals in their newsletter 🥰

The answer was 'Yes please!' This is a free community resource so please share so long as it isn't altered or sold.

Petition: Require schools to let children use the toilet at all times in the school day Make it mandatory for schools to allow students to go to the toilet at all times throughout the school day when they need to and do not lock toilets so that they aren’t accessible during certain times...

It is 2025 - we really shouldn't need a petition for this!

Require schools to let children use the toilet at all times in the school day.
Do not lock toilets so that they aren’t accessible during certain times of the day.

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...

A Community Guide to a Happy Neurodivergent Christmas Ditch the expectations and meet your needs Free ebook now available Get it free at https://jadefarrington.substack.com

🎁 If you got a copy this morning, I'd love to know what you think!

Lazy way to win at Christmas decorating. Picture shows Yoda with a light saber surrounded by deflated Christmas decorations.

A neurodivergent Christmas looks a bit different, so dozens of ND people have made a FREE 78-page ebook

A Community Guide to a Happy Neurodivergent Christmas 2nd ed shares tips & validation to help you ditch the expectations and meet your needs

Sub @ jadefarrington.substack.com to get it tomorrow.

A Community Guide to a Happy Neurodivergent Christmas cover

Today is the last day to register to receive the 2nd edition of A Community Guide to a Happy Neurodivergent Christmas!

It's 78 pages and completely free. Enter your email at jadefarrington.substack.com and it'll land in your inbox tomorrow.

It's absolutely packed with tips & validation!

Thank you, so exciting! 🎉

A Community Guide to a Happy Neurodivergent Christmas cover image

3 days until the 2nd edition of A Community Guide to a Happy Neurodivergent Christmas is released!

It clocked in at 78 pages, & is currently with wonderful proof readers inc @gr0ve.bsky.social & @autisticrealms.bsky.social

It's FREE & will be sent to all subscribed at jadefarrington.substack.com

A Community Guide to a Happy Neurodivergent Christmas Expanded & Updated Second Edition 4 days to go! Enter your email at https://jadefarrington.substack.com to receive it free on November 6th

Just 4 days until the expanded and updated 2nd edition of A Community Guide to a Happy Neurodivergent Christmas is released!

It's completely free and features contributions from dozens of neurodivergent people.

Enter your email at jadefarrington.substack.com to receive your copy on November 6th.

Graphic with text Autism Non-Fiction by Autistic Authors. Published October 2025. Displays the book covers for: - The Autism-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Birth and the Fourth Trimester by Aimee Grant - Supporting Autistic and Neurodivergent Children Recovering from Abuse: A practical resource for anyone working with young victim-survivors by Susy Ridout. Illustrated by Lulu Panatti Reeve - Could I Really Be Autistic? Your First Steps to Self-Discovery by Sarah Hendrickx and Jess Hendrickx - Side Questing to Your Destination: Enjoying a Life in Line with Your Values by Jade Farrington - Out in the Spectrum: Stories, Articles, and Recipes For Autistic Adults by Autistic Adults edited by Akosua Ann Brown with contributions from Owen Bryan, Scott R. Dawson, Ciara Freeman, Justin Humphreys, Corey Kearns, Eric Lauder, Katherine Layne, Brianna Longhenry, Jackie McMillan, Justin Milner, Elliot Smith, Wayman Edward Sole, and Robert Williams - I Want Dopamine for Dinner: Maximalist Vegan and Gluten-Free Recipes with Neurodivergent, Grumpy Gut + Disability Considerations by Phoebe Thorburn - Authentic Voices: An Australian Perspective on Neurodiversity in the Performing Arts edited by Robert Lewis and Dan Graham

Autism Non-Fiction books written by Autistic authors. Published October 2025.

Graphic with text at the top stating Autism Books by Autistic Authors. Published October 2025. In the centre is a collage of book covers, tilted on an angle. Each book is listed in detail in the subsequent graphics and text. At the bottom is the text The Autism Books by Autistic Authors Project @AutisticBooks. In the bottom corner is a small logo with colourful books and a small plant either side.

Books about autism or with Autistic main characters, written by Autistic authors — published October 2025!

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#AutismBooks #AutisticAuthor #Autism #Autistic #ActuallyAutistic #BookSky

Thank you very much for taking the time! It's wonderful how many people have done so 😊

@autisticrealms.bsky.social @emergentdivergence.com @thepdaspace.bsky.social @the-untypical-ot.bsky.social @gr0ve.bsky.social @jillholly-ndu.bsky.social @ndjourneys.bsky.social @jodieclarke.bsky.social @autisticallyscott.bsky.social @laurahellfeld.bsky.social @auroraconsulting.bsky.social

A Community Guide to a Happy Neurodivergent Christmas Expanded & Updated Second Edition cover

When we launched A Community Guide to a Happy Neurodivergent Christmas for FREE last year, 1000s signed up to get a copy.

Social media reach is now so suppressed, it's proving really hard to reach people.

Enter your email at jadefarrington.substack.com and you'll receive the 2nd edition on Nov 6!

3,702 people are already signed up and will receive the 2nd edition of A Community Guide to a Happy Neurodivergent Christmas on publication day!

Dozens of ND people share their tips, ideas and validation for the festive period.

For your FREE copy, enter your email at jadefarrington.substack.com

Side Questing to Your Destination: Enjoying a Life in Line with Your Values Side Questing to Your DestinationEnjoying a Life in Line with Your ValuesIt’s a pretty well-kept secret that everyone experiences time differently. Chronos - or clock time - dominates, but it may not ...

Side Questing to Your Destination: Enjoying a Life in Line with Your Values is now available from payhip.com/b/diw3V

It takes you on a journey through obliquity, and how aiming directly for your goals can stop you achieving them.

@autisticbooks.bsky.social

A Community Guide to a Happy Neurodivergent Christmas Expanded & Updated Second Edition

Coming soon!

The expanded and updated version of A Community Guide to a Happy Neurodivergent Christmas will drop after Halloween and Bonfire Night.

It'll be completely free of charge and available to download via jadefarrington.substack.com Sign up to receive it in your inbox on publication day!

Side Questing to Your Destination Enjoying a life in line with your values ebook now available Did you know everyone perceives time differently? If you’re neurodivergent, then normative ideas about time could be stopping you achieving your goals and leading the life you’d love. This new ebook introduces you to a values-driven life which allows you to side quest to your destination.

Goals can be complicated when you're neurodivergent.
There's a neuronormative (and very wrong) assumption that everyone experiences time in the same linear fashion. That everyone can break down steps; know how long they'll take; and work towards them.

jadefarrington.substack.com/p/side-quest...

Foundations for Writing develop sensory and motor skills In 5 weeks, help your child develop their sensory and motor skills to be more comfortable and confident with writing through this online program with live expert support

She's running her 10-week course again from October 7th: ot4kids.thinkific.com/courses/foun...

And has a free recorded Beyond Pencil Grasp webinar available until October 6th: www.subscribepage.com/beyondpencil...

Spotlight on Helping Neurodivergent Children to Write with Munira Adenwalla, OT4Kids

Kids who struggle to write or find it painful are often hounded with more handwriting practice - with the predictable consequence that many get put off even more.

Munira has put together this great piece on helping neurodivergent children to write: jadefarrington.substack.com/p/spotlight-...