Autistic masking, also referred to as camouflaging, is the conscious or subconscious suppression of autistic behaviors with the goal of being perceived as neurotypical. Masking behavior is a learned coping strategy in response to minority stress that may prevent someone being stigmatized, but can also negatively impact their mental health.
Autistic people have cited social acceptance, the need to have a job, and the avoidance of ostracism or verbal or physical abuse as reasons for masking. However, research also shows autistic masking is frequently reported as physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting for the individual, and the behavior is linked to long-term negative impacts on well-being.
Terminology There is no universally agreed-upon terminology for the concept. While some use the terms masking and camouflaging synonymously, others distinguish between masking (the suppression of behaviors) and compensation (of social difficulties) as the two main forms of camouflaging. Among autistic people, masking is the most commonly used umbrella term. Cited as an example in Autistic researcher Wenn Lawson has proposed that adaptive morphing is a more fitting term.
The process of consciously reducing masking tendencies or not masking in some contexts, which some autistic people see as a desirable goal, is referred to as unmasking. Motivations for unmasking include no longer hiding one's true identity and avoiding adverse mental health outcomes.
Presentations and reasons for masking
Typical examples of heavier autistic masking include the suppression of stimming (in general or in public) and reactions to sensory overload. Autistic people may also mask by maintaining eye contact despite discomfort (e.g. anxiety, amygdala hyperarousal, sensory overload), mirroring/imitating facial expressions, body language and tone of others when unsure of appropriate social behavior, refraining from or restricting talking about passionate interests, or outwardly reacting less to sensory stresses. While masking can be done in private, it is often a response to social stress. A 2025 study found that autistic people masked significantly more around allistic (or non-autistic) people and significantly less when alone or with autistic peers.
Autistic people with conversational difficulties may use complex strategies to converse more successfully, such as scripting a conversation outline, developing conscious "rules" for conversations, and carefully monitoring if these are being followed. They may also feel the need to monitor and adjust their natural facial expressions or tone of voice to meet an expected social response (e.g. in order to avoid upsetting others or to outwardly convey their inner experience in a more "neurotypical" way). Many autistic people learn conversational rules and social behaviors by watching television shows and other media and by observing and mimicking a character's behavior.
A 2024 study supports prior research linking masking/camouflaging to interpersonal trauma and stigma, underlining its association with mental health challenges. From reduced self-esteem and authenticity issues in autistic adults, these findings challenge the common promotion of masking strategies for parenting, therapy, and education. Thus advocating for neurodiversity-affirming approaches that respect the autistic traits and identity, preventing trauma and eliminating any practices that shame autistic individuals.
Consequences Masking often requires an exceptional effort. It is linked with adverse mental health outcomes such as stress, anxiety, depression, and other psychological disorders, loss of identity, and suicidality. According to a recent meta-analysis, the association between masking and depression, general anxiety, and social anxiety appears consistent across different age groups (children, adolescents, and adults). Some studies find that compensation strategies are seen as contributing to leading a successful life. Since many studies on masking focus on autistic adolescents or adults without cognitive impairments, the generalizability of such findings across the autism spectrum is uncertain.
In a 2025 study, a link has been found between autistic individuals and the increased risk of bullying and harassment. This systemic review dives into the vulnerability of autistic individuals to social, verbal, and physical bullying which leads to adverse mental health disorders. Furthermore, masking is described as a "survival strategy" for people with autism, as it tends to decrease the exposure to bullying overall, yet increases psychosocial loads on the person. Thus, between studies, it is discovered that whether autistic individuals are masking or not, they face increased risk for mental health disorders.
Masking may conceal the person's need for support. It can complicate a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), for example, underdiagnosis of females, particularly past childhood, as relevant symptoms are suppressed or compensated for. The diagnostic criteria for ASD in the DSM-5, published in 2013, explicitly state that while symptoms "must be present in the early developmental period", these "may be masked by learned strategies in later life", allowing for a diagnosis even if autistic behaviors and difficulties are successfully masked. Addition of such a formulation was proposed to the workgroup drafting the criteria by representatives of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, including Ari Ne'eman and Steven Kapp. The diagnostic criteria for ASD in the ICD-11 (2022) contain a similar provision.
It has been hypothesized that masking may play an important role in explaining why autistic women are significantly less often recognized and diagnosed as autistic compared to men. This hypothesis was put forward by Lorna Wing as early as 1981 and is recognized in the DSM-5-TR published in 2022. Based on behavioral history, autistic women are more likely to receive alternative diagnoses such as anxiety, mood, learning, or eating disorders rather than autism. Research suggests that many autistic women may hide or mimic neurotypical behavior automatically rather than consciously choosing to do so, which can make them appear less visibly autistic and therefore less likely to be diagnosed. As a result, many autistic women remain undiagnosed until adulthood. A 2025 study, however, found no link between reported camouflaging behaviors and age of autism diagnosis for autistic women. Researchers proposed that gender stereotypes and inadequate assessment tools are more significant barriers to diagnosis for autistic women than camouflaging behaviors.
A serious consequence of prolonged masking/camouflaging is burnout and suicidality, which spans from the need to conform to social expectations. Masking/camouflaging is both a conscious and unconscious process to reduce dissonance and distress, but over time, the emotional and cognitive strain can lead to alexithymia. Alexithymia is a condition that affects about 50% of autistic people, making it difficult to distinguish emotions from their physical states. Alexithymia can impair their ability to self-regulate, thus delaying their recognition of stress until it reaches a critical point, leading to burnout. Suppression of stimming compounds the stress further. In Hochschild's theory of emotional labor, masking/camouflaging involves cognitive, bodily, and expressive efforts to suppress emotions, which can lead to mental challenges. The unconscious aspects of masking are potentially linked to dissociation, which may serve to manage stress but increases the risk of long-term burnout and suicidality.
These consequences have led to modern research into autistic masking combined with the usage of machine learning. A 2025 study gathered data from 601 participants to assess whether machine learning is a viable system to predict autistic traits and symptoms of mental health decline by using camouflage behaviors. This study discovered that there is promising evidence that machine learning techniques can "predict autistic traits and symptoms of anxiety and depression based on camouflaging behaviors in a neurodiverse sample." Essentially, with the modern age of AI, research conclusions state that the connections might be valid between autism and camouflaging. The end goal that the authors present in Predicting autistic traits, anxiety and depression symptoms using camouflaging autistic traits questionnaire (CAT-Q-ES): A machine learning study, is that there might be a way to streamline diagnoses as well as mental health assistance for autistic individuals.
Much of the discourse surrounding autistic masking focuses on its negative consequences. However, some research suggests that masking may also contribute to a greater sense of social acceptance among autistic individuals. Repeatedly practicing masking strategies may also help some individuals become more successful in navigating social interactions.
Discrimination Autistic individuals face stigmatization and discrimination by the media, employers, along with the health and education system. This may encourage them to mask and engage in socially desirable behaviors to avoid being discriminated against. In media, the portrayals of autism has depicted autistic individuals as helpless and even violent. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., US Secretary of Health, referred to autism as a "chronic disease" and "epidemic"; this may further drive masking/camouflaging to avoid stigma. Autistic individuals may mask during recruiting or workplace environments to counter biases from employers' expectations of being neurotypical or stereotypes about autistic abilities. A 2023 study found that autistic or neurodivergent employees without a formal diagnosis may feel even less freedom to unmask than those with a formal diagnosis. This perceived freedom, however, is contingent on disclosing an autism diagnosis, which does not include all formally diagnosed adults. In education, autistic students may mask/camouflage to avoid social isolation from discriminatory practices like exclusion or refusal of activities neurotypical individuals participate in. Camouflaging in autistic individuals can be influenced by discrimination in various domains.
In many research studies, conclusions have been made to say that individuals who identify across multiple marginalized groups are more likely to face discrimination and tend to mask to avoid said treatment. Marginalized groups are defined as individuals who are excluded based on sex, race, social class, religious affiliation, and/ or appearance. A study took 462 individuals and found that those who identified as a sexual minority and were also diagnosed with autism subsequently reported higher levels of masking than those who were autistic but were in the sexual majority. As well as this, it is noted that those that identify with the sexual minority might find difficulties relating and connecting to the broader community of autistic people. Therefore, these studies have concluded that there is a further link of discrimination to be found between identifying as a sexual minority and having an autism diagnosis.
Research