July 29, 2026
A newsletter for neurodivergent professionals and the workplace culture
we're building — real talk, no polish, no gatekeeping.
A recent Forbes article highlights a reality that many autistic professionals know all too well: getting hired is only the beginning. Citing new survey data from NEXT for AUTISM, the article reports that more than 80% of autistic employees experience masking and emotional exhaustion in the workplace as they work to meet expectations and fit into organizational culture.
The article reflects a broader shift in how people are talking about autism. For years, the focus was on helping autistic people adapt to workplaces. Increasingly, the conversation is turning toward how workplaces can adapt, too. Researchers continue to explore how sustained masking—changing the way we communicate, move, express ourselves, or interact to appear more 'typical'—can contribute to stress, anxiety, burnout, and a diminished sense of identity over time.
The hidden cost of masking. The price of always being “on” includes hiding who you are,
a nervous system stuck in overdrive, and burnout on repeat.
Perhaps the most important question isn't 'How can autistic people become better at fitting in?' Instead, it's 'How can we build environments where fewer people feel they have to hide who they are in the first place?'
That's a subtle change in perspective, but it has profound implications for workplaces, schools, families, and communities. Instead of placing the burden entirely on individuals, it encourages all of us to think about what genuine belonging looks like.
For most of my life, I didn't know I was masking.
I thought I was simply trying hard to be good with people. I'd rehearse conversations, analyze interactions after they ended, and constantly adjust how I spoke, where I looked, and how I responded. I assumed everyone was doing the same thing.
It wasn't until after my autism diagnosis that I realized many of those habits weren't personality traits—they were survival strategies.
Masking can become so familiar that it starts to feel like your personality. Over time, it becomes surprisingly difficult to answer a simple question: Who am I when I don't have to perform? Years after my diagnosis, I still find myself discovering that answer.
I've also learned that unmasking doesn't mean abandoning professionalism or adapting to no one. We all adjust ourselves in different situations. The goal isn't to stop adapting; it's to make sure adaptation remains a choice—not the price of belonging.
This week, I invite you to reflect on one question:
Where in my life do I feel most like I have to perform... and where do I feel most like I can simply be?
We are becoming more—ourselves!
~Alex
Founder & Chief Neurodivergent
Becoming partners with Autism On the Go, a peer-led nonprofit for neurodivergent adults. All AOG events and resources are free — no diagnosis required, no cost, ever. Whether you’re autistic, neurodivergent, or just curious about what that might mean for you, there’s a seat for you.
Tuesday, August 25 — 7:00PM ET
Hear From Each Other
A monthly speaker series featuring autistic adults sharing their lived experiences and perspectives.
Friday, August 28 — 7:00PM ET
Storytelling Sandbox
Bring your writing, artwork, ideas, or simply your curiosity to this welcoming creative community.
Every Thursday — 9:00 PM ET
Thursday Community Group
Join us for conversation, connection, and peer support. Participate as much—or as little—as you'd like.
1st & 3rd Saturdays — 7:00PM ET
Virtual Parallel Play Zone
Join us in the Parallel Play Zone (PPZ), AOG's virtual community space. Hang out over Zoom while also exploring the PPZ through your free MyAOG account. Chat, work on hobbies, draw, game, study, listen, or simply exist alongside others.
AOG also offers Bad Anon, Men's Group, Women's Group, Queer Meetup, BIPOC Meetup, Aquí Estamos (Spanish), Community Town Halls, and more.
AOG Calendar of Events
AOG Virtual Groups
