Introducing the Beach Ball Analogy handout explaining masking, meltdowns, and school can't.
 
This handout is designed to help parents, therapists, and advocates explain why neurodivergent needs should be supported in schools, whether they are observable or not.
 
About the analogy:
 
Masking is when a child hides their true needs, feelings or behaviours to fit in or avoid negative attention and punishment.

Imagine trying to hold a beach ball under the water. At first, it’s manageable — you can push it down and keep it hidden. But it takes constant effort, and your arms get tired. The longer you hold it under, the more energy it drains. Eventually, the ball will slip out of your hands and shoot to the surface with force.

For many children, especially those who are neurodivergent, masking at school can be exhausting.

By the time they get home, they may “let the beach ball go,” which is why parents often see more emotional outbursts or shutdowns after the school day.

If they hold the ball under for too long, day after day, the ball might pop out at school too, or the child will avoid going to school because holding the ball under water is no longer manageable.