Anonymous #1 11w

Sending love to you 🩵

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Anonymous #2 11w

Skill regression is something that can occur in autistic individuals who are high-masking, meaning that they’re highly skilled in concealing their autistic behaviors in order to conform to social norms and/or keep themselves safe. If one is experiencing skill regression, they may find it significantly harder to complete certain tasks, they may find themselves having more sensory needs than before, they may have more meltdowns than normal, they may find that it’s harder for them to mask in social

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Anonymous OP 11w

social situations, and many more. The simplest way to describe how skill regression feels is that it feels like your autism symptoms are “getting worse”. This can be highly distressing to the person experiencing it, and there’s minimal discussion about it.

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Anonymous OP 11w

I think I may be experiencing this. Although I’ve never consciously masked AFAIK, I’m actually quite open about having audhd and struggling with it (it becomes nice common ground with my coworkers in particular). Maybe I’m masking in some way and don’t realize it

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Anonymous #3 11w

I see. It’s also important to consider, though, that skill regression isn’t solely caused by masking burnout; there are other struggles that autistic individuals face that can cause burnout and skill regression. I’m aware I don’t know you personally; however, it’s important to consider that just because you’re open about having audhd doesn’t mean that you aren’t masking at all. There may be behaviors of masking that you’ve done for so long that you don’t consciously realize that you do them.

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Anonymous OP 11w

Currently in the process of being diagnosed with whatever (very high suspicion it’s audhd) and I relate to this SO MUCH, also started a new internship recently and there’s just so many new things and social events and ugh so overwhelming (and atp I’m pretty aware I’m masking now). Thanks for talking about it though, makes me feel less crazy haha

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Anonymous #4 11w

I’m so sorry :( That sounds so hard. Internships can be really hard with audhd because you feel the need to mask extra well so you make a good impression. You’re not going crazy, I promise. Wishing you the best of luck. 🩵

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Anonymous OP 11w

Thanks, means a lot ☺️

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