The Consequences of Masking in Autism
Camouflaging autistic traits comes with costs.
Posted March 25, 2025 | Reviewed by Gary Drevitch
Masking is a strategy that some autistic folks use to appear non-autistic and be more accepted in society. Researchers are just now beginning to explore masking in autism, so it is hard to say how many individuals mask. However, questionnaires like the CAT-Q can be used to identify and explore camouflaged traits in autism.
Some factors increase how likely an autistic person is to mask. For example, women, girls, nonbinary people, and people of color report higher masking rates. This is likely due to misconceptions and stereotypes about what autism does or doesn’t “look like.” Also, people who are diagnosed with autism later in life tend to mask more than those diagnosed as children or in adolescence .
Masking is mentally and physically draining. It’s hard to suppress or hide aspects of who you are and what you need. Chronic masking can lead to poor mental health, lower self-esteem , autistic burnout , and even suicidal thoughts. So understanding what it is and managing its impact is essential both for autistic folks trying to manage its impact and loved ones who want to offer support.
Autistic masking is a term used in the autistic community to describe the conscious or unconscious suppression of autistic traits to appear more neurotypical and be more accepted by society. It can be seen as an umbrella term for any camouflaging , compensating, or adaptive morphing behaviors used to fit in. Autistic folks might learn to mask by observing and mimicking others in their lives or characters in books, movies, and TV shows.
Masking can be used in formal situations like work or school and in informal settings like with family or friends. Although anyone could adapt their behavior to match the expectations of their environment, masking among autistic individuals is an exhausting effort to meet the social and societal demands of a neurotypical world. It can lead to consequences including autistic burnout and mental health struggles such as depression , anxiety , and eating disorders.
For folks who weren’t diagnosed with autism until later in life, it is common to have unconsciously masked for many years. When late-diagnosed autistics finally learn of their neurodivergence, they might experience identity struggles or feelings of isolation. Chronic, unconscious masking can leave people confused about who they would have been if they didn’t constantly feel the need to suppress their autistic traits and interests.
Examples of Autistic Masking
Why Do Autistic People Mask?
Just as every autistic person’s experience with autism is unique, masking can serve many functions. Here are some examples:
Consequences of Masking
The consequences of masking are multifaceted. Autistic folks who can mask acknowledge that it can be seen as a privilege to others in the community who are unable to suppress their autistic traits. There are benefits to masking, which is why the behavior exists in the first place.
Masking can allow autistic folks to “pass,” leading to increased protection and less discrimination, stigma , or bullying . Masking can result in more acceptance or praise in the workplace or school. It can also help autistic folks build and maintain relationships.
However, even after acknowledging the benefits, research has shown that suppressing autistic traits has many negative consequences. When folks consistently suppress who they are and what they need, it takes a toll on the mind and body. Masking can lead to:
Strategies and Getting Support
The National Autistic Society has compiled feedback from autistic people and the latest research to create strategies for managing the consequences of masking. Some of these strategies include allowing yourself recovery time after social interactions, seeking an autism diagnosis or using self-diagnosing tools, spending time with other autistic people, and beginning to consider and explore who you are without your mask.
Some high-masking autistic folks find that it can be helpful to explore their identity and support needs in therapy . Since masking can lead to additional mental health struggles like depression, anxiety, or suicidal ideation, having a professional you can talk to and process your experience with may be necessary. Make sure that you ask about their experience with autism and the impact of masking.
To find a therapist, please visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.
Alaghband-rad J, Hajikarim-Hamedani A and Motamed M (2023) Camouflage and masking behavior in adult autism. Front. Psychiatry. 14:1108110. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1108110
Evans, J. A., Krumrei-Mancuso, E. J., Rouse, S. V. (2024, June 17). What You Are Hiding Could Be Hurting You: Autistic Masking in Relation to Mental Health, Interpersonal Trauma, Authenticity, and Self-Esteem. Autism in Adulthood, 6(2).
Masking (2025). National Autistic Society. autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/behaviour/masking
Miller, D., Rees, J., & Pearson, A. (2021). "Masking Is Life": Experiences of Masking in Autistic and Nonautistic Adults. Autism in adulthood: challenges and management, 3(4), 330–338. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2020.0083
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Morgan Blair, M.A., LPCC , has 17 years of experience living with, studying, and treating eating disorders. She now has her own practice where she treats gender-expansive and neurodivergent individuals recovering from eating disorders.
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This article is part of the Bringwise Psychology Journal — daily insights on human behavior, mental health, and personal growth.