Assessment of masking: camouflaging autistic traits depending on processing effort and contextual effect

Abstract

Abstract

Theoretical background and aims: The study aims to demonstrate the complexity of camouflaging strategies used by autistic individuals: it provides an overview of their motivations, different classification approaches, factors influencing their outcomes, their impact on mental health, and the diversity of social cognitive styles underlying their use. Based on an interpretation of these strategies within a relevance-theoretical framework, it proposes a visual tool that may support the development of autistic individuals’ metapragmatic awareness, self-reflection, and self-advocacy.

Analysis: Following a review of the literature, interpreting camouflaging strategies within the framework of Relevance Theory offers a cognitive conceptual system of criteria that may provide a deeper understanding of the phenomenon.

Conclusions: The present study argues that the conceptual framework of Relevance Theory enables a more nuanced consideration of the context-dependent use of camouflaging strategies in relation to the processing effort and expected contextual effect.

Keywords: camouflage, autism spectrum condition, processing effort, contextual effect, Relevance Theory