Many autistic teen girls appear to thrive at school, earning good grades, maintaining friendships, and following classroom expectations. Behind that outward success, however, some spend every school day carefully hiding autistic traits to fit in with classmates and teachers. This effort, known as masking, can become mentally and emotionally exhausting over time. Mental health professionals and autism researchers increasingly recognize that prolonged masking may contribute to anxiety, depression, and autistic burnout, making early awareness and support especially important.
