Some people work hard to hide their struggles in plain sight. This is high masking—a survival strategy common in ADHD, autism, OCD, and cPTSD. From the outside, it can look like success. Inside, it can be exhausting, isolating, and dangerous to well-being.
 
The Hidden Cost of High Masking is a clear, accessible, and visually engaging trifold flyer that:
Defines high masking and why it happens
Shows what it can look like from the outside, the inside, and the “middle zone” where misunderstandings happen
Highlights common gifts and struggles
Debunks harmful misconceptions
Offers practical tips for allies and educators
Includes credible resources for further learning
 
Perfect for:
School counselors and teachers who want to better support their students
Neurodivergent individuals who need help explaining their experiences
Friends, family, and allies who want to understand and show up better
 
This resource is free to download and share. Print it for staff rooms, counseling offices, resource fairs, classrooms, and anywhere else people could use a reminder:
Effort doesn’t erase difference. Cognitive overload is not a character flaw.
 
File format: PDF (trifold flyer)
Cost: Free – because we believe awareness should be accessible to all.