Camouflage and autism

J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2020 Jul;61(7):735-738. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.13296.

Abstract

The theme of camouflage recently gained unexpected momentum in autism research. Symposia and panel discussions are devoted to ' camouflage' in autism conferences. Because of its association with intended deception, the term camouflage has poor fit with the autism world. However, psychopathologists have a long tradition of resorting to camouflage-like terminology, from Freud's reaction formation, to pseudoschizophrenia, to Winnicott's false self, to masked depression, and even to the recent quasi-autism, artfully telling us that what we see is actually not what we see but rather what we cannot see. Is 'Camouflaged Autism' the next in line nosographical pearl?

Publication types

  • Editorial

MeSH terms

  • Autistic Disorder / psychology*
  • Biological Mimicry*
  • Child
  • Deception*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Models, Psychological*