Masking is when a person on the autism spectrum mimics and uses social scripts learnt from others, in order to fit in and suppress their autistic tendencies. The goal is often to appear ‘neurotypical' as they want to fit in. In this episode, the discussion explores how masking can hide anxiety in neurodivergent children, often leading to exhaustion and autistic burnout. It unpacks why neurodiverse kids may present very differently at school compared to home, and why frequent meltdowns can occur after a long day of sustained masking in classroom and social settings. The episode highlights the importance of regular breaks to support sensory and social recovery, clarifies the difference between healthy coping strategies and masking (which involves suppressing or hiding autistic traits), and emphasises that social skill development should nurture authenticity rather than conformity. It also shares emotional regulation strategies that can help reduce the risk of long-term burnout.