Dropping the mask: It takes two.

LAY ABSTRACT: In some situations, autistic people feel pressure to change their social behaviour by camouflaging. In other situations, autistic people feel they don't need to change their social behaviour. Instead, they feel they can socialise in ways that feel authentic or true to themselves. Past research has tended to focus on autistic people's experiences of camouflaging rather than their experiences of authenticity. In this study, we asked autistic people what it is like for them when they can socialise in ways that feel authentic or true to themselves. Autistic people described authentic-feeling socialising as more free, spontaneous and open than camouflaging. In supportive environments, this kind of socialising had more positive and less negative consequences than camouflaging. Autistic people felt that having self-awareness and acceptance of their own social needs and being around autistic and nonautistic people who were accepting and understanding helped them to socialise in authentic-feeling ways. Autistic people also spoke about communication behaviours they felt nonautistic people should use to help overcome misunderstandings and create autism-friendly social environments. These findings suggest it is helpful for autistic people to have access to supportive and accepting social environments in which they feel able to socialise in ways that feel authentic to them. In creating such social environments, it is important to focus on nonautistic people's knowledge and attitude towards autistic people and also their ability to use helpful communication behaviours.

A Parent-Mediated, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Group Treatment for Young Children With High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder and Comorbid Anxiety: Development and Case Illustration of the Fun With Feelings Program.

Comorbid anxiety is increasingly being recognized as a significant concern in children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD; Selles & Storch, 2013). Given the significant short and long term impact of anxiety on the functioning of a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD; e.g., Bellini, 2004; Ben-Sasson et al., 2008), it is imperative that children with HFASD and comorbid anxiety receive intervention as early as is possible. Despite this need, there is a currently a dearth of research examining anxiety management programs for young children with HFASD. This article describes the development of a parent-mediated, cognitive behavioral therapy, group program for anxiety in 4- to 6-year-old children with HFASD. It provides a detailed discussion of the strategies taught to parents and children and highlights some of the challenges involved. A case study is also presented to illustrate progression and outcomes brought about through the program.