Camouflaging in an everyday social context: An interpersonal recall study.
Julia Cook, Laura Crane, Laura Bourne and 2 others
PMID 33607921WHAT IT FOUND
Autistic adults described camouflaging as a exhausting, constant performance to appear non-autistic, which ironically hindered genuine connection.
They reported feeling less anxiety and more ease when socialising authentically with supportive partners who accepted their autistic behaviours.
Key findings
01Participants described camouflaging as cognitively taxing and exhausting, requiring constant monitoring of their own behaviour and others' cues.
02Camouflaging was paradoxically seen as interfering with effective communication and limiting the closeness of social relationships.
03Engaging in authentic socialising, such as using autistic body movements and communicating needs, was associated with decreased anxiety and increased ease.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
Small sample size (n=17) limits generalisability. Participants were all verbally fluent, had average to high IQs, and were diagnosed in adulthood; findings may not apply to those with intellectual disabilities or early-diagnosed individuals. The study relied on self-report and recall, which may be subject to bias. The social partner was a single non-autistic student, so the interaction context was limited.
Declared interests
Funded by a doctoral scholarship from University College London. No other conflicts declared.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret this as evidence that stopping camouflaging is always safe or beneficial. Participants noted that authentic socialising only reduced distress when their environment was supportive and accepting; in unsupportive contexts, camouflaging may remain a necessary protective strategy.