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Commentary: ‘Camouflaging’ in autistic people – reflection on Fombonne (2020)
Author(s) -
Lai MengChuan,
Hull Laura,
Mandy William,
Chakrabarti Bhismadev,
Nordahl Christine Wu,
Lombardo Michael V.,
Ameis Stephanie H.,
Szatmari Peter,
BaronCohen Simon,
Happé Francesca,
Livingston Lucy Anne
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of child psychology and psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.652
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1469-7610
pISSN - 0021-9630
DOI - 10.1111/jcpp.13344
Subject(s) - neurotypical , autism , psychology , construct (python library) , developmental psychology , autistic traits , construct validity , clinical psychology , psychometrics , autism spectrum disorder , computer science , programming language
Fombonne’s (2020) editorial is a thought‐provoking appraisal of the literature on ‘camouflaging’, whereby some autistic people mask or compensate for their autistic characteristics as an attempt to fit in and to cope with disabilities under neurotypical social norms. Fombonne (2020) highlights three issues of contention: (a) construct validity and measurement of camouflaging; (b) camouflaging as a reason for late autism diagnosis in adolescence/adulthood; and (c) camouflaging as a feature of the ‘female autism phenotype’. Here, we argue that (a) establishing construct validity and measurement of different aspects of camouflaging is warranted; (b) subjective experiences are important for the differential diagnosis of autism in adolescence/adulthood; and (c) camouflaging is not necessarily a feature of autism in female individuals – nevertheless, taking into account sex and gender influences in development is crucial to understand behavioural manifestations of autism. Future research and clinical directions should involve clarification of associated constructs and measurements, demography, mechanisms, impact (including harms and benefits) and tailored support.