Keywords
Autistic disorder
Mental health
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Abstract
Objective: To analyze the impact of social camouflage on the late diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Bibliographic review: Although social camouflage may have an initial positive impact within the individual goals of people with ASD, these points should always be weighed against the high long-term costs to mental health. It is important for ASD to be addressed in all societal settings so that people have a cultural understanding of the phenomenon of social camouflage, thus aiding in the diagnostic process even if it is delayed. Although the ability to camouflage and compensate allows for seemingly more normatively accepted social interaction within the predominantly neurotypical world, it is important to recognize that this effort can be exhausting and come with high emotional and mental costs, ranging from a substantial decrease in quality of life to potentially life-threatening risks. Final considerations: Understanding camouflage and compensation strategies is crucial for developing more sensitive and effective diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, especially considering gender differences in the autistic spectrum.
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