So the AFABs aren’t autistic in this scenario, right? If a non-autistic AFAB was “masking” it would be just considered introverted shyness instead of autistic masking, is that what you’re asking. (Sorry, I got a lil confused 🥺). Because if so, I see where you’re coming from. A normal person masking isn’t considered a whole trait of a disorder so why is it for ASD people? I think the reason it is a whole trait is because it’s to the extent. Disorders in psychology are often considered disorders when it begins creating disturbances in your life, and an NT person’s masking does not create the gallons of agony it does for an ASD person, because the ASD person has to completely hide themselves and modify their intuitive and innate ways of being, whereas an NT just has to maybe not be rude or so open. We all mask so we are more professional or quiet in an environment, and for an NT person, it isn’t changing who they are as a person. An ASD person is quite literally holding certain parts back of themself. Idk if that makes sense. Did that offer anything to the conversation?