The “Dual Masking Phenomenon”: A Critical Autoethnography of an Autistic Multiracial Latina Amid the Presence of White Autistic Researchers and Self-Advocates

This publication is included in the Autistic Autism Scholarship Project. one author of this publication is identified as autistic in the project.

About the autistic author marker

Benedetto, M. S. (2024). The “Dual Masking Phenomenon”: A Critical Autoethnography of an Autistic Multiracial Latina Amid the Presence of White Autistic Researchers and Self-Advocates. Autism in Adulthood, 8(4), 710-719. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2024.0105

Publication date: 27 Dec 2024 Added to AutiHub: 17 Sep 2026 Type: Article Article language: English

This publication is integrated into AutiHub through:

Authors

Publication authors
1
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 1 (100.0%)

Abstract

Background: Autistic camouflage describes how autistic individuals assimilate allistic behavior for societal acceptance, while White mimicry demonstrates how non-White individuals assimilate White identities. These coping strategies, although different, are significant for non-White autistic individuals. Understanding them is crucial for mitigating racial and ethnic biases in autism research and clinical practice, emphasizing the importance of addressing ethnic and racial identity assimilation. Methods: I used a critical autoethnography aimed at advancing the decolonization of research and fostering equitable knowledge production. This approach entwined personal narratives with theoretical frameworks, transcending mere depiction. Validation of findings through peer debriefing was instrumental, while my positioning as a multiracial Latina expounded the intricate dimensions of racial identity and bias within the study’s context. Results: The findings revealed the “dual masking phenomenon” in non-White autistic individuals, encompassing both White mimicry and autistic camouflage. These complexities reveal challenges within racially influenced societal contexts, advocating for tailored support for non-White autistic individuals. Narratives unveiled prevalent tokenism, microaggressions, privilege, epistemicide, and meritocracy within predominantly White autistic environments, uncovering systemic barriers and the pressure to assimilate Whiteness to access opportunities. The study underscores the imperative to question neutrality and rectify disparities within the non-White autistic community. Discussion: The inadequacy of relying solely on autistic camouflage among non-White autistic individuals within racially influenced societal settings is highlighted. Instead, adopting traits associated with Whiteness seems to offer a more effective approach. The “dual masking phenomenon” reveals this systemic challenge—the pressure for assimilation faced by non-White autistic individuals, worsened by the prevailing systemic racism in predominantly White environments, as illustrated in the results. Recommendations include incorporating racial factors into research by racializing the experiences of White autistic individuals, educating health care professionals on racial dynamics, and fostering resilience and racial stamina, to address disparities within the non-White autistic community. Community Brief Why is this an important issue? Non-White autistic individuals often do not receive the same support and recognition as White autistic people. Most research and advocacy in autism are led by White individuals, which can overlook or misrepresent the needs and experiences of non-White individuals. This study examines how being non-White affects autistic people and how they are treated differently, aiming to bring more attention and fairness to our experiences. What was the purpose of this study? To explore how being non-White affects the experiences of autistic individuals. The study aimed to find effective ways to address and reduce the differences in support and recognition between non-White and White autistic individuals. What did the researcher do? I studied my own experiences, as a multiracial Latina, and talked with other non-White activists and experts to understand how interacting with White autistic researchers and advocates in Europe affected me. I looked at how non-White autistic people might adjust their behavior to fit in and how White people might influence this. What were the results of the study? 1. The study found that non-White autistic individuals often use two strategies to fit in: one is changing their behavior to blend in with non-autistic people, and the other is changing their identities to act like White people, which adds extra challenges for them. 2. It showed that having mostly White people in research and advocacy makes it harder for those with multiple marginalized identities to be recognized and supported. 3. It also highlighted that pretending race is neutral when discussing autism, a common approach in research, can be harmful to non-White autistic people. What do these findings add to what was already known? These findings help us understand more about the differences in diagnosing and supporting non-White autistic people. It also points out that it is difficult to recognize non-White autistic people who try to fit in with White norms, not just those who change their behavior to mask their autism. What are potential weaknesses in the study? One weakness of the study is that focusing on my personal experiences might seem self-centered. To address this, including other research methods and a diverse group of people could give a clearer and more complete picture of the “dual masking phenomenon.” How will these findings help autistic adults now or in the future? 1. Make White autistic researchers and others aware of how race and ethnicity affect non-White autistic people. 2. Encourage including race and ethnicity details when talking about autistic people, which will help better understand our experiences. 3. Improve how we diagnose and support non-White autistic individuals by reducing racial and ethnic biases. 4. Create better support that takes into account the unique experiences of non-White autistic individuals.

Bibliography cited by this reference

Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

Cited bibliography overview

These indicators describe the bibliography cited by this publication. An author name is counted each time it appears in one cited reference, so the same person can be counted more than once. Names not yet linked to an author already present in AutiHub are treated as unknown, not as non-autistic. Last computed: 20 Sep 2026 01:01.

Cited references
77
With a DOI
51
Without a DOI, from raw bibliography text
25
9 / 77 (11.7%) cited references include at least one author identified as autistic.
References with data to complete
2 / 77 (2.6%)
References with detected author names
75 / 77 (97.4%)
Without detected author names
2
Without a structured title
0
Without a stable identifier
25
References with raw author names still to review
0
References with external metadata lookup issues
2
These indicators apply to cited references displayed on this page, after technical duplicates have been merged. A reference without a DOI can still support author statistics when a title and author names are available.
Author names detected in the cited bibliography
200
From DOI or external metadata
200
From validated raw bibliography text
0
Raw names already validated
0
Raw names still to review
0
58 / 200 (29.0%) names are linked to an author already present in AutiHub. 142 / 200 (71.0%) names are not yet linked.
Names linked to a person identified as autistic
14 / 200 (7.0%)
Calculated across all author names detected in the cited bibliography. Among names linked to an author already present in AutiHub: 14 / 58 (24.1%). Distinct people identified as autistic: 13 / 179 (7.3%).
  1. Paul Rabinow (2005). Artificiality and Enlightenment: From Sociobiology to Biosociality . In Anthropologies of Modernity (pp. 179-193). Wiley.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  2. American Psychiatric Association (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders . American Psychiatric Association Publishing.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  3. Katharine E. Zuckerman , Olivia J. Lindly , Nuri M. Reyes , Alison E. Chavez , Kristy Macias , Kathryn N. Smith et al. (2017). Disparities in Diagnosis and Treatment of Autism in Latino and Non-Latino White Families . Pediatrics, 139(5). American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  4. Meng-Chuan Lai , Simon Baron-Cohen , Joseph D Buxbaum (2015). Understanding autism in the light of sex/gender . Molecular Autism, 6(1), 24. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  5. John N. Constantino , Anna M. Abbacchi , Celine A. Saulnier , Cheryl Klaiman , DAVID S. MANDELL , Yi Zhang et al. (2020). Timing of the Diagnosis of Autism in African American Children . Pediatrics, 146(3), e20193629. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  6. Kathryn A. Smith , Jean-G. Gehricke , Suzannah Iadarola , Audrey Wolfe , Karen A. Kuhlthau (2020). Disparities in Service Use Among Children With Autism: A Systematic Review . Pediatrics, 145(Supplement_1), S35-S46. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  7. Adriana S. Benzaquèn (2005). Abnormal: Lectures at the Collège de France, 1974-1975 . Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences, 41(1), 80-82. Wiley.
    OpenAlex
  8. Desiree R. Jones , DAVID S. MANDELL (2020). To address racial disparities in autism research, we must think globally, act locally . Autism, 24(7), 1587-1589. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  9. (1992). Black looks: race and representation . Choice Reviews Online, 30(04), 30-2391-30-2391. American Library Association.
    OpenAlex
  10. DAVID S. MANDELL , JOHN LISTERUD , SUSAN E. LEVY , JENNIFER A. PINTO-MARTIN (2002). Race Differences in the Age at Diagnosis Among Medicaid-Eligible Children With Autism . Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 41(12), 1447-1453. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  11. Sara Cruz , Sabela Conde-Pumpido Zubizarreta , Ana Daniela Costa , Rita Araújo , Júlia Martinho , María Tubío Fungueiriño et al. (2025). Is There a Bias Towards Males in the Diagnosis of Autism? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis . Neuropsychology Review, 35(1), 153-176. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  12. James Mark Baldwin (2021). The Price of the Ticket: Collected Nonfiction: 1948–1985 .
    Type: Article OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1572964062
    OpenAlex
  13. DAVID S. MANDELL , Richard F. Ittenbach , Susan E. Levy , Jennifer A. Pinto-Martin (2007). Disparities in Diagnoses Received Prior to a Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37(9), 1795-1802. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  14. Tomás Sánchez Criado , Adolfo Estalella (2023). An Ethnographic Inventory . Routledge.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  15. Sandra Magaña , Susan L. Parish , Esther Son (2015). Have Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Quality of Health Care Relationships Changed for Children With Developmental Disabilities and ASD? American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 120(6), 504-513. Informa UK Limited.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  16. Sander Begeer , Saloua El Bouk , Wafaa Boussaid , Mark Meerum Terwogt , Hans M. Koot (2009). Underdiagnosis and Referral Bias of Autism in Ethnic Minorities . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39(1), 142-148. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  17. Robert G. Burgess (1981). Keeping a research diary . Cambridge Journal of Education, 11(1), 75-83. Informa UK Limited.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  18. Saime Tek , Rebecca J. Landa (2012). Differences in Autism Symptoms Between Minority and Non-Minority Toddlers . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42(9), 1967-1973. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  19. Maureen S. Durkin , Matthew J. Maenner , Jon Baio , Deborah Christensen , Julie Daniels , Robert Fitzgerald et al. (2017). Autism Spectrum Disorder Among US Children (2002–2010): Socioeconomic, Racial, and Ethnic Disparities . American Journal of Public Health, 107(11), 1818-1826. American Public Health Association.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  20. Kasturi Behari-Leak (2019). Decolonial Turns, Postcolonial Shifts, and Cultural Connections:Are We There Yet? English Academy Review, 36(1), 58-68. Informa UK Limited.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  21. Katharine E. Zuckerman , Brianna Sinche , Angie Mejia , Martiza Cobian , Thomas Becker , Christina Nicolaidis (2014). Latino Parents' Perspectives on Barriers to Autism Diagnosis . Academic Pediatrics, 14(3), 301-308. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  22. W.E.B. Du Bois (2018). The Souls of Black Folk . In Color Class Identity (pp. 163-168). Routledge.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  23. Whitney Schott , Sha Tao , Lindsay Shea (2022). Co‐occurring conditions and racial‐ethnic disparities: Medicaid enrolled adults on the autism spectrum . Autism Research, 15(1), 70-85. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1002/aur.2644 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3215616534
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  24. Katharine E. Zuckerman , Brianna Sinche , Martiza Cobian , Marlene Cervantes , Angie Mejia , Thomas Becker et al. (2014). Conceptualization of Autism in the Latino Community and its Relationship With Early Diagnosis . Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 35(8), 522-532. Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health).
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  25. Brendan Ciaran Browne (2013). Recording the Personal: The Benefits in Maintaining Research Diaries for Documenting the Emotional and Practical Challenges of Fieldwork in Unfamiliar Settings . International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 12(1), 420-435. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  26. Pamela Perry (2007). White Universal Identity as a “Sense of Group Position” . Symbolic Interaction, 30(3), 375-393. Wiley.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  27. (2002). Research methods in anthropology: qualitative and quantitative approaches . Choice Reviews Online, 39(07), 39-4047-39-4047. American Library Association.
    OpenAlex
  28. Brandon S. Aylward , Diana E. Gal-Szabo , Sharief Taraman (2021). Racial, Ethnic, and Sociodemographic Disparities in Diagnosis of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder . Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 42(8), 682-689. Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health).
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  29. Albert R. Lee (2020). All You Have Gotten Is Tokenism . In Prejudice, Stigma, Privilege, and Oppression (pp. 387-399). Springer International Publishing.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  30. Michael Morris (2016). Standard White: Dismantling White Normativity . Calif Law Rev, 104(4), 949. clr.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.15779/z38f55g OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2527296397
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  31. Michael Lynch , Paul Rabinow (1997). Making PCR: A Story of Biotechnology. The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 3(4), 794. JSTOR.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.2307/3034054 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2330850392
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  32. Kanner L (1968). Autistic disturbances of affective contact . Acta Paedopsychiatr, 35(4), 100.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  33. Patricia Hill Collins , Kleber Aparecido da Silva , Maria Carmen Aires Gomes (2021). INTERSECTIONALITY, EPISTEMIC OPPRESSION AND RESISTANCE: AN INTERVIEW WITH PATRÍCIA HILL COLLINS . Trabalhos em Linguística Aplicada, 60(1), 328-337. FapUNIFESP (SciELO).
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  34. Asperger H (1938). Das psychisch abnorme Kind . Wien Klin Wochenschr, (49), 1314.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  35. Donna Haraway (1988). Situated Knowledges: The Science Question in Feminism and the Privilege of Partial Perspective . Feminist Studies, 14(3), 575. JSTOR.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.2307/3178066 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3146083582
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  36. Joan C. Chrisler (2018). The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-love . Fat Studies, 7(3), 299-301. Informa UK Limited.
    OpenAlex
  37. Eva Loth (2023). Does the current state of biomarker discovery in autism reflect the limits of reductionism in precision medicine? Suggestions for an integrative approach that considers dynamic mechanisms between brain, body, and the social environment . Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, 1085445-1085445. Frontiers Media SA.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  38. Waltraud Ernst (2006). Histories of the Normal and the Abnormal . Routledge.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  39. Thomas I. Mackie , Ana J. Schaefer , Leah Ramella , Alice S. Carter , Abbey Eisenhower , Manuel E. Jimenez et al. (2021). Understanding How Parents Make Meaning of Their Child’s Behaviors During Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Longitudinal Qualitative Investigation . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 51(3), 906-921. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  40. Foucault M (2004). Abnormal: Lectures at the College de France, 1974-1975 . Abnormal: Lectures at the College de France, 1974-1975.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  41. Javad Alaghband-rad , Arman Hajikarim-Hamedani , Mahtab Motamed (2023). Camouflage and masking behavior in adult autism . Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, 1108110-1108110. Frontiers Media SA.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  42. Schieve, Laura A. , Daniels, Julie , Christensen, Deborah , Yeargin-Allsopp, Marshalyn , Imm, Pamela , Baio, Jon et al. (2017). Autism Spectrum Disorder Among US Children (2002–2010): Socioeconomic, Racial, and Ethnic Disparities . UNC Libraries. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries.
    OpenCitations
  43. Lélia Gonzalez , Bruna Barros , Feva , Jess Oliveira , Luciana Reis (2021). Racism and Sexism in Brazilian Culture . WSQ: Women's Studies Quarterly, 49(1), 371-394. Project MUSE.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  44. Morrison T (2004). The Bluest Eye . The Bluest Eye.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  45. Baldwin J (1985). The Price of the Ticket: Collected Nonfiction 1948–1985 . The Price of the Ticket: Collected Nonfiction 1948–1985.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  46. Ellen D. Wu (2014). The Color of Success . Princeton University Press.
    OpenCitations
  47. hooks b (1992). Black Looks: Race and Representation . Black Looks: Race and Representation.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  48. Elizabeth Mackinlay (2019). Critical Writing for Embodied Approaches . Springer International Publishing.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  49. Adichie CN (2014). Americanah . Americanah.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  50. Ellen D. Wu (2014). The Color of Success . Princeton University Press.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  51. Fanon F (1952). Black Skin, White Masks . Black Skin, White Masks.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  52. Bhabha HK (2004). The Location of Culture . The Location of Culture.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  53. DiAngelo R (2022). White Fragility: Adapted for Young Adults . White Fragility: Adapted for Young Adults.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  54. Bento MA (2022). Pacto Da Branquitude . Pacto Da Branquitude.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  55. Daniel Glenn (2022). Neuroqueer Heresies: Notes on the Neurodiversity Paradigm, Autistic Empowerment, and Postnormal Possibilities . World Futures, 78(5), 339-341. Informa UK Limited.
    OpenAlex
  56. Kilomba G (2019). Memórias Da Plantação: Episódios de Racismo Cotidiano . Memórias Da Plantação: Episódios de Racismo Cotidiano.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  57. Moreira A (2019). Racismo Recreativo . Polén.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  58. Navarro E de A (2013). Dicionário de Tupi Antigo: A Língua Indígena Clássica Do Brasil . Global.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  59. Taylor SR (2018). The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love . The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  60. Mock J (2015). Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More . Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  61. Asare JZG (2023). Decentering Whiteness in the Workplace: A Guide for Equity and Inclusion . Decentering Whiteness in the Workplace: A Guide for Equity and Inclusion.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  62. Milton D (2013). Autistics speak but they are heard . Journal of the BSA MedSoc Group, 7, 61.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  63. Foucault M (1997). Vigiar e Punir . Vigiar e Punir.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  64. Walker N (2014). Neuroqueer Heresies: Notes on the Neurodiversity Paradigm, Autistic Empowerment, and Postnormal Possibilities . Neuroqueer Heresies: Notes on the Neurodiversity Paradigm, Autistic Empowerment, and Postnormal Possibilities.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  65. Carneiro S (2005). A Construção Do Outro Como Não-Ser Como Fundamento Do Ser . A Construção Do Outro Como Não-Ser Como Fundamento Do Ser.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  66. Markovits D (2019). A Cilada Da Meritocracia: Por Que Ela Não Produz Igualdade de Oportunidades e Reforça a Desigualdade de Renda . A Cilada Da Meritocracia: Por Que Ela Não Produz Igualdade de Oportunidades e Reforça a Desigualdade de Renda.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  67. Enriques R (2003). Raça e Gênero No Sistema de Ensino . Raça e Gênero No Sistema de Ensino.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  68. Carmichael S (2007). Stokely Speaks: From Black Power to Pan-Africanism . Stokely Speaks: From Black Power to Pan-Africanism.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  69. Bernard HR (2011). Research Methods in Anthropology: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches . Research Methods in Anthropology: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches.
    Type: Other
    Crossref