Camouflaging in Autistic Adults is Modulated by Autistic and Neurotypical Characteristics of Interaction Partners.
Ren Funawatari, Motofumi Sumiya, Toshiki Iwabuchi and 3 others
PMID 39042236WHAT IT FOUND
Autistic adults reported camouflaging more when interacting with other autistic people than with neurotypical people.
This contradicts the common assumption that masking is primarily a survival strategy to fit into neurotypical society, suggesting it may instead reflect a motivation to build relationships with autistic peers.
Key findings
01Autistic participants showed significantly higher camouflaging scores in the condition where the hypothetical interaction partner had autistic characteristics.
02Neurotypical participants did not show a statistically significant difference in camouflaging levels based on whether the interaction partner was described as autistic or neurotypical.
03The finding that autistic people camouflage more toward autistic others contradicts the initial hypothesis that they camouflage more toward neurotypical others.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The sample was restricted to Japanese adults, which may limit generalizability due to cultural differences in stigma and autism acceptance. The study was not pre-registered, which increases the risk of publication bias. Autistic participants were recruited from support organizations and peer groups, which may have selected for individuals who are already more experienced or motivated to interact with other autistic people.
Declared interests
Funded by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and Hamamatsu University School of Medicine. No other conflicts of interest were declared.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that camouflaging is a universal or fixed trait of autism. The study measured self-reported responses to hypothetical scenarios, not observed behavior, and the results were specific to a Japanese cultural context where disclosure rates and stigma may differ from other populations.
Summarised by AI from the full paper, without a clinician reviewing it. Check it against the source before it changes what you do. Read it on PubMed →