Episode Summary:
In Part 4 of our Neurodiversity Celebration Week mini-series, Sarah and Cassie dive deep into the topic of masking, what it is, why neurodivergent people do it, and the long-term impact it can have on mental health, identity, and performance at work.
They share personal stories and coaching insights on how masking relates to rejection sensitivity, anxiety, burnout, and the struggle to ask for help. The conversation highlights the importance of psychological safety, communication preferences, and recognising your own needs, even when you’ve been conditioned to suppress them.
You’ll also hear practical ideas like creating a “user guide” for your neurodivergent needs, building supportive team dynamics, and how leadership can foster inclusive, high-performing workplaces.
Topics Discussed:
Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome & what we mean by "masking"
02:30 – Masking in school vs. university vs. workplace
06:15 – People-pleasing, suppression & burnout
09:00 – Cassie’s story: the cost of not asking for help
12:00 – Being “found out” & fear of being seen
15:30 – Why performance management often misses the point
18:00 – The struggle to identify what support you even need
21:00 – The Neurodivergent Emotions Wheel
25:00 – Asking for help (and why it's so hard to do)
29:30 – The problem with “just bring solutions” advice
32:00 – Creating your own user manual at work
35:00 – How profiling tools support inclusive team dynamics
38:00 – Why compassion, curiosity & co-creation matter
41:00 – Final reflections on validation, safety & performance
Key Quotes:
"Masking is tightly connected to rejection sensitivity—and just trying to survive."
"I wore calm like a badge of honour, but inside was absolute chaos."
"It's not that I don’t want help—I just don’t know what help I need."
"You've never knowingly managed someone neurodivergent."
"When people feel seen, heard and safe—that's when we get their best."
Links & Resources:
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Website: www.sarahatkinsdesign.com
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