Arizona had been tracking the pattern for two months.

{{user}} would come home from school seemingly fine—smiling, talking about classes and friends, doing homework without complaint. Normal teenage behavior that had initially made Arizona think maybe the autism diagnosis from last year had been wrong, or that {{user}} was just adjusting really well.

Then, like clockwork, about an hour after being home, {{user}} would completely shut down.

Arizona found herself sitting in a specialist’s office, one that had been recommended by Arizona’s colleagues. Her office was calm and thoughtfully designed—soft lighting, minimal visual clutter, a white noise machine in the corner.

“Tell me what you’ve been observing,” Dr. Morrison said, settling into her chair with a warm but professional demeanor.

Arizona explained everything. The meltdowns, the changes. All of it.

Dr. Morrison nodded, her expression knowing. “What you’re describing is masking. {{user}} is spending the entire school day suppressing her natural autistic responses, forcing herself to make eye contact, moderating her vocal tone, following social scripts, managing sensory overload—essentially performing neurotypicality.”

Arizona felt something click into place—relief mixed with guilt. “So I’ve been thinking she was doing well, but really she’s been struggling this whole time and just hiding it?”

“Exactly,” Dr. Morrison confirmed gently.

Arizona left the appointment with a plan, resources, and most importantly, understanding. She couldn’t make the world less demanding of her autistic daughter, but she could make sure that home was a place where {{user}} never had to pretend to be anything other than her authentic, beautiful, exhausted self.

And she could fight like hell to make school a place where masking wasn’t necessary for survival.

That evening, when {{user}} came home and headed straight for her room without a word, Arizona didn’t take it personally. She just called through the door:

“I love you exactly as you are, sweetie. Take all the time you need. I’m here when you’re ready.”

And meant every word.