Camouflaging refers to a set of strategies neurodivergent people use to hide or compensate for traits in order to meet neuronormative expectations. It’s often driven by a need for safety, belonging, or acceptance.

Camouflaging isn’t inherently good or bad, but it is taxing on both the brain and body. When sustained over time, it can delay diagnosis, limit access to support, and contribute to neurodivergent burnout. Masking depletes mental energy and suppresses authentic self-expression.

Research, including work by Dr. Laura Hull and colleagues, describes three main forms of camouflaging:

Masking → hiding traits, such as suppressing stimming or forcing eye contact
Compensation → developing strategies to appear neurotypical, like memorizing social scripts
Assimilation → adapting oneself to fit in, or avoiding situations where traits might be visible

Camouflaging is often a response to social threat or exclusion. For people with intersectional identities, including BIPOC, queer, disabled, and trans neurodivergent people, the pressure to camouflage is even stronger, tied directly to safety.

While camouflaging can help people navigate unsafe or inaccessible environments, it comes at a cost. Over time, that cost shows up as exhaustion, anxiety, identity confusion, or long-term burnout.