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Valeria Khudiakova, Joel M. Le Forestier, Alison L. Chasteen
(2026).
How do non-autistic people view autistic camouflaging?.
Research in Neurodiversity, 2, 100049.
Elsevier BV.
- Publication date
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November 2026
- Identifier
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10.1016/j.rin.2026.100049
- Authors
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Valeria Khudiakova,
Joel M. Le Forestier,
Alison L. Chasteen
- Source
- Research in Neurodiversity
- Details
- 2, 100049
- Reference type
- article
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Metadata source
- crossref
Abstract
Many autistic people camouflage their autistic traits, often to avoid stigma and discrimination. However, research on other social identities suggests that concealing an identity may itself be stigmatised. This study explored the potential for the stigmatisation of autistic camouflaging, and whether informing non-autistic people that camouflaging is often a stigma response would alleviate any negative perceptions. Non-autistic undergraduates (n = 760) were randomly assigned to read either a control pamphlet with general information about autism or an intervention pamphlet including additional information on camouflaging and stigma, followed by a vignette in which an autistic student was described as camouflaging or disclosing her autistic identity. Subsequently, participants rated their perceptions of the autistic student. We found that the student who camouflaged was perceived as less moral, warm, and competent, and participants reported less desired social contact with them, compared to when they disclosed their autistic identity. Informing participants about camouflaging as a stigma response did not improve their perceptions of the student. This study provides preliminary evidence for stigma associated with camouflaging, when it is made explicit. Our findings suggest that in order to support autistic people’s wellbeing it is important to address the systemic stigma that compels camouflaging in the first place.
Study authors in this cited reference