Exploring the Camouflaging Experiences of Early-Diagnosed Autistic Females

Camouflaging refers to both behavioural and cognitive strategies used by autistic individuals to hide their autistic traits. These strategies are often intended to help autistic people adapt to social norms and fit in with their neurotypical peers. Camouflaging is a key factor of the female autism phenotype, as such strategies are more commonly employed by autistic girls and women; however, most camouflaging research has particularly revolved around late-diagnosed autistic women. To address the gap of knowledge regarding camouflaging in autistic girls and women diagnosed earlier in life, the current study aimed to explore the camouflaging experiences of early-diagnosed autistic women (i.e., women who were diagnosed during or before their kindergarten year). The findings were then compared to the existing literature on camouflaging in late-diagnosed autistic women. Four early-diagnosed autistic women participated in semi-structured interviews that were then analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis. A cross-analysis of personal experiential themes generated seven group experiential themes which highlighted similarities and distinctions in participant experiences. These themes highlight participants’ motivations for camouflaging and its’ impacts while capturing how participants have made sense of their camouflaging experiences from childhood and into adulthood. These findings amplify the voices of early-diagnosed autistic women, offering important clinical implications and directions for future research.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MSc)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Education Graduate Program – Educational Psychology

Grantor

Werklund School of Education

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Torraville, Bethany

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• McCrimmon, Adam

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Hicks, Kelly
• Ellard, John

• Camouflaging
• autism
• early-diagnosis
• female autism phenotype
• diagnostic timing
• qualitative research

Statement dc:rights

• Unless otherwise indicated, this material is protected by copyright and has been made available with authorization from the copyright owner. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/50199

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:1880/122606