Date of Submission

2026

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

Department Chair

Stephanie Felgoise, PhD, ABPP

First Advisor

Robert DiTomasso, PhD

Second Advisor

Leslie Fernandez, PsyD

Third Advisor

Will LaValle, PsyD

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social communication deficits and restrictive/repetitive behavior (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). The clinical assessment of ASD requires behavioral observation of the participant. Within the context of ASD, camouflaging refers to cognitive and behavioral strategies that a person with ASD can utilize to adapt to a non-autistic world (Cook et al., 2021). Camouflaging may influence an autistic person’s behavioral presentation to a more “neurotypical” state. Behaving in a less atypical manner may contribute to not being referred for testing, having a clinician assign lower ratings on diagnostic measures, and preventing issuance of a diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to elucidate camouflaging’s potential relation to the clinical assessment of ASD and explore demographic associations. This study utilized a quantitative analysis of archival data. Results of the study were nuanced. Key hypotheses were not analyzable due to limitations on sample size. However, findings suggested that females with ASD tend to self-report greater levels of camouflaging, while camouflaging may not reduce the diagnostic accuracy of the clinical assessment of ASD. Future research should continue to clarify whether and how camouflaging affects diagnostic accuracy, as well as how race and culture may intersect with camouflaging.

Download

Share

COinS