Masking: The Reality of Neurodive...
Masking: The Reality of Neurodivergent Masking and Identity Loss
Strong Starts by Jessica Whitehead and Sarah Gerber-Kai
S1 · E20
May 18, 2026
24:58
Episode notes

For many in the neurodivergent community, we spend our lives learning to cover up who we are to blend into the environment around us.

In this episode, we trace the profound identity loss experienced by neurodivergent adults right back to where it often starts: the classroom. We discuss the hidden exhaustion of the neurodivergent student and why traditional educational settings need a major shift. It’s time to stop asking kids to change who they are, and start building school cultures rooted in actual psychological safety. Tune in to learn how we can move away from forced compliance and start cultivating trauma-informed, neuro-affirming school cultures where every student is actually safe to unmask.

Keywords
education
behavior
inclusion
systems
students
special education
IEP
masking
neurodivergent
trauma