“Putting on My Best Normal”: Social Camouflaging in Adults with Autism Spectrum Conditions

Summary & key facts

Researchers interviewed 92 adults with autism to study “camouflaging,” which means hiding or changing autistic behaviors in social situations. They used thematic analysis to make a three-stage model. People said they camouflage to fit in and make connections. Camouflaging included masking (hiding traits) and compensation (using learned social techniques). Reported effects included exhaustion, challenges to self-identity, and possible effects on diagnosis and mental health. The study notes the evidence is mainly self-report and more research is needed.

Key facts:

• The study interviewed 92 adults with autism spectrum conditions and used qualitative methods (thematic analysis).
• The authors developed a three-stage model of camouflaging: motivations, techniques, and consequences.
• A main reported motivation for camouflaging was to fit in and to increase social connections with others.
• Camouflaging was described as a mix of masking (hiding autistic behaviours) and compensation (using explicit techniques to appear socially competent).
• Short- and long-term consequences reported by participants included exhaustion, challenges to self-perception (threats to identity), and efforts that could be mentally costly.
• The paper notes camouflaging may help people appear socially successful, which could contribute to missed or late diagnoses, especially in females.
• Clinical diagnostic samples show a male:female ratio of about 4:1, but active case finding in the general population gives a lower ratio of about 3:1; the authors discuss camouflaging as one possible factor in this discrepancy.
• The links between camouflaging and mental health (for example higher stress, anxiety, or low mood) are reported in anecdotal and self-report accounts, and the authors say these links are not yet systematically tested.

Topics

Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Child Development and Digital Technology Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders

Categories

Cognitive Neuroscience Life Sciences Neuroscience

Tags

Autism Clinical psychology Coping (psychology) Developmental psychology Neuroscience Perception Psychology Qualitative research Social science Sociology Thematic analysis