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

• Published in: Journal of autism and developmental disorders Vol. 47; no. 8; pp. 2519 - 2534
• Main Authors: Hull, Laura, Petrides, K. V., Allison, Carrie, Smith, Paula, Baron-Cohen, Simon, Lai, Meng-Chuan, Mandy, William
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.08.2017; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Adolescent; Adult; Adults; Aged; Autism; Autism Spectrum Disorder - psychology; Autism Spectrum Disorders; Autistic adults; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Child and School Psychology; Child Health; Compensation; Coping; Coping strategies; Departments; Fatigue; Fatigue (Biology); Female; Females; Gender Differences; Health aspects; Humans; Imitation; Interpersonal Competence; Interpersonal Relationship; Male; Males; Masking; Medical diagnosis; Mental Health; Middle Aged; Neurosciences; Original Paper; Pediatrics; Perceptions; Pervasive Developmental Disorders; Psychology; Public Health; Qualitative Research; Quality of life; Questionnaires; Risk factors; Self Concept; Social Adjustment; Social Behavior; Social Characteristics; Social situations; Stereotypes; Threats; Young adults; Autism; Coping; Gender; Social adapation; Camouflaging; Sex
• ISSN: 0162-3257; 1573-3432; 1573-3432
• DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3166-5

Camouflaging of autistic characteristics in social situations is hypothesised as a common social coping strategy for adults with autism spectrum conditions (ASC). Camouflaging may impact diagnosis, quality of life, and long-term outcomes, but little is known about it. This qualitative study examined camouflaging experiences in 92 adults with ASC, with questions focusing on the nature, motivations, and consequences of camouflaging. Thematic analysis was used to identify key elements of camouflaging, which informed development of a three-stage model of the camouflaging process. First, motivations for camouflaging included fitting in and increasing connections with others. Second, camouflaging itself comprised a combination of masking and compensation techniques. Third, short- and long-term consequences of camouflaging included exhaustion, challenging stereotypes, and threats to self-perception.