“Putting on My Best Normal”: Social Camouflaging in Adults with Autism Spectrum Conditions
Open Access
- 19 May 2017
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Vol. 47 (8), 2519-2534
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3166-5
Abstract
Camouflaging of autistic characteristics in social situations is hypothesised as a common social coping strategy for adults with autism spectrum conditions (ASC). Camouflaging may impact diagnosis, quality of life, and long-term outcomes, but little is known about it. This qualitative study examined camouflaging experiences in 92 adults with ASC, with questions focusing on the nature, motivations, and consequences of camouflaging. Thematic analysis was used to identify key elements of camouflaging, which informed development of a three-stage model of the camouflaging process. First, motivations for camouflaging included fitting in and increasing connections with others. Second, camouflaging itself comprised a combination of masking and compensation techniques. Third, short- and long-term consequences of camouflaging included exhaustion, challenging stereotypes, and threats to self-perception.Keywords
This publication has 45 references indexed in Scilit:
- Gender and Age Differences in the Core Triad of Impairments in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysisJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2013
- Postsecondary Education and Employment Among Youth With an Autism Spectrum DisorderPEDIATRICS, 2012
- Diminished Social Motivation Negatively Impacts Reputation Management: Autism Spectrum Disorders as a Case in PointPLOS ONE, 2012
- Psychiatric comorbidity in young adults with a clinical diagnosis of Asperger syndromeResearch in Developmental Disabilities, 2011
- Insensitivity to social reputation in autismProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2011
- Review of gender differences in core symptomatology in autism spectrum disordersResearch in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2011
- A Behavioral Comparison of Male and Female Adults with High Functioning Autism Spectrum ConditionsPLOS ONE, 2011
- The Quantitative Nature of Autistic Social ImpairmentPediatric Research, 2011
- Timing of Identification Among Children With an Autism Spectrum Disorder: Findings From a Population-Based Surveillance StudyJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2009
- Using thematic analysis in psychologyQualitative Research in Psychology, 2006