Autistic Adults' Experiences of Camouflaging and Its Perceived Impact on Mental Health.
Louise Bradley, Rebecca Shaw, Simon Baron-Cohen and 1 others
PMID 36601637WHAT IT FOUND
Autistic adults described camouflaging as exhausting and damaging to mental health, yet necessary to access work and relationships.
They camouflaged less when understood or accepted, suggesting clinical environments should reduce pressure to mask rather than assume masking equals coping.
Key findings
01Participants described camouflaging as exhausting, leading to burnout, physical illness, and mental health struggles including depression and anxiety, because it required constant monitoring of social rules and behaviors.
02Camouflaging was reported as a survival strategy that allowed access to jobs and social acceptance, but often at the cost of identity, self-worth, and delayed diagnosis.
03Participants camouflaged less when they felt understood or accepted, such as after diagnosis or with supportive family and friends, leading to increased confidence and reduced stress.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
Participants self-reported autism status rather than having clinically confirmed diagnoses. The sample was largely female and diagnosed in adulthood, which may not represent the broader autistic population, particularly males or those diagnosed in childhood. The study was advertised as covering mental health and camouflaging, which may have attracted participants with specific experiences or biases. Analysis did not include an autistic perspective or double-coding, despite the survey being co-produced with autistic adults. Data was collected via online survey, excluding those without internet access or with significant communication differences that prevent text-based response.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that autistic patients who appear socially competent or "normal" are coping well or lack support needs. Camouflaging is a high-energy survival strategy that can mask severe distress, delay diagnosis, and lead to burnout, so apparent social success does not equate to mental health stability.