Autism and Camouflaging: The Hidden Struggle
- martine.ellis
- Mar 17
- 2 min read
Autistic people often face a world that isn’t designed for them. Many learn to camouflage their differences to fit in and avoid negative reactions. This can involve masking autistic characteristics, mimicking social behaviours, or suppressing natural responses to avoid standing out. While camouflaging can help with short-term social acceptance, it often comes at a significant emotional and energetic cost.
What Is Camouflaging?
Camouflaging is when an autistic person consciously or unconsciously hides their autistic characteristics to blend in with neurotypical expectations. This might include forcing eye contact, scripting conversations, copying others’ facial expressions, or suppressing stimming (self-soothing movements like hand-flapping or fidgeting).
Who Camouflages and Why?
Anyone can camouflage, but research suggests it is more common in autistic women, girls, and non-binary people—often because they face greater pressure to conform socially. Many autistic people camouflage to:
Avoid bullying or judgment.
Secure jobs or educational opportunities.
Maintain relationships.
Feel a sense of belonging.
The Different Types of Camouflaging
Camouflaging can take different forms, including:
Masking: Hiding autistic traits, such as avoiding stimming or forcing a ‘neutral’ expression.
Compensation: Developing strategies to cover up or compensate for difficulties, like rehearsing conversations in advance.
Assimilation: Adopting neurotypical behaviours, such as copying slang or social gestures, even when they don’t come naturally.
The Cost of Camouflaging
While camouflaging might seem like a useful skill, it is mentally and emotionally exhausting. The constant effort to monitor and adjust behaviour can lead to anxiety, burnout, and extreme fatigue. Over time, masking can also cause a loss of identity, making it difficult for an autistic person to truly understand who they are. Additionally, those who camouflage well may go unrecognised as autistic, leading to a delayed diagnosis or even missing out on support altogether.
Final Thoughts
Camouflaging is often a survival strategy, but it shouldn’t have to be. The more society accepts and accommodates autistic people, the less they will feel pressured to hide who they are. Creating inclusive spaces where autistic people can be themselves—without fear of judgment—can reduce the need for masking and improve overall wellbeing.
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