Camouflaging

Camouflaging, also known as masking, is the conscious or unconscious suppression of autistic traits and adoption of neurotypical behaviors in order to fit into social situations. This can include forcing eye contact, suppressing stimming, rehearsing social scripts, and imitating others' expressions and mannerisms. While camouflaging may help autistic individuals navigate social and professional environments, it is associated with significant mental health costs including exhaustion, burnout, anxiety, depression, and loss of identity. Research indicates camouflaging may be especially prevalent among autistic women and can delay diagnosis by obscuring autistic characteristics from clinicians.