My assessment looms...trying to figure out how I mask!

Maybe, between now and the assessment: try to prioritise good self-care routines (eat good things regularly, drink enough water, sleep as best you can, exercise outdoors, relax your preferred ways, have some frivolous fun, do your hobbies and pastimes, etc.) - so you can bring as much of your energy as possible to the assessment appointment.

During the assessment; try to remember that they are not there to judge you, instead they are trying to work out if / to what extent support might be relevant to you. 

As much as anything, your mission during the assessment: is not to worry how to fit in with your perception of societal norms.  Rather, it is your opportunity to show someone who you really are and for you to tell them about your life experiences stories to date (both the good and the not so good - as an Autistic person's experience of enjoyment and challenges are equally valid and helpful for the assessor to appreciate).

We don't all have awareness of when we are / to what extent we might be masking (the assessor will be aware of that possibility - so it is not your responsibility to worry about that issue).

As much as anything, if they assess you match the various criteria of an Autistic person, they are then trying to fine-tune their understanding of how your particular presentation / experience of Autism as it impacts your engagement with the World. 

With that in mind, the assessor may seem to ask some slightly strange questions - which are probably best taken at your first impressions value (and not overthought too much with composing your reply).

With all good wishes for your assessment experience.

Maybe, between now and the assessment: try to prioritise good self-care routines (eat good things regularly, drink enough water, sleep as best you can, exercise outdoors, relax your preferred ways, have some frivolous fun, do your hobbies and pastimes, etc.) - so you can bring as much of your energy as possible to the assessment appointment.

During the assessment; try to remember that they are not there to judge you, instead they are trying to work out if / to what extent support might be relevant to you. 

As much as anything, your mission during the assessment: is not to worry how to fit in with your perception of societal norms.  Rather, it is your opportunity to show someone who you really are and for you to tell them about your life experiences stories to date (both the good and the not so good - as an Autistic person's experience of enjoyment and challenges are equally valid and helpful for the assessor to appreciate).

We don't all have awareness of when we are / to what extent we might be masking (the assessor will be aware of that possibility - so it is not your responsibility to worry about that issue).

As much as anything, if they assess you match the various criteria of an Autistic person, they are then trying to fine-tune their understanding of how your particular presentation / experience of Autism as it impacts your engagement with the World. 

With that in mind, the assessor may seem to ask some slightly strange questions - which are probably best taken at your first impressions value (and not overthought too much with composing your reply).

With all good wishes for your assessment experience.

i love this - thank you. Also thank you Autismman for your response. I will try very hard to give myself permission to relax :-)