The Autism Odyssey: Camouflaged and Split
Keita Edwards-AdamsBackground:
This autoethnographic study examines the lived experiences of a Black autistic woman navigating social environments shaped by the intersections of race, gender, and neurodivergence. Grounded in W. E. B. Du Bois’ concept of double consciousness and an intersectional framework, the study explores the internal conflicts that arise when marginalized identities must coexist within dominant societal norms.
Methods:
Using autoethnography, the researcher drew on reflective journals, memory work, personal artifacts, and semi-structured interviews to illuminate patterns of camouflaging, code-switching, sensory overwhelm, and social exclusion. She analyzed narrative data through structured narrative analysis and iterative coding to identify recurring themes and meaning-making processes.
Results:
Findings reveal that sensory overload, racialized group dynamics, and exclusion significantly shape the researcher’s sense of comfort, belonging, and identity. Camouflaging and code-switching emerge as necessary survival strategies, yet they carry substantial psychological and emotional costs, including burnout and identity fragmentation. The study also identifies intentional preparation and environmental control as empowering approaches that support agency, authenticity, and sustainable social engagement.
Conclusion:
This study highlights the urgent need for culturally responsive, intersectionally informed support for autistic individuals living at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities. By amplifying an underrepresented narrative, it contributes to a more inclusive understanding of autism, identity, and the complexities of social navigation in adulthood.
Community Brief
Why is this an important issue?
Black autistic individuals, especially women, often face challenges related to being both autistic and members of a racial minority group. Many feel pressure to hide their autistic traits or change the way they speak and behave to fit into different social settings. Over time, this can lead to stress, exhaustion, and a sense of being unable to fully be themselves. These experiences are often missing from autism research, making it harder to understand and support Black autistic adults.
What is the purpose of this study?
This study explores how being Black, autistic, and a woman shapes social experiences. It looks at the emotional, mental, and sensory challenges that can occur when trying to fit into spaces with different cultural and social expectations. The goal is to increase understanding of these experiences and encourage more inclusive and culturally responsive support.
What did the researcher do?
The researcher examined her own experiences from childhood through adulthood using journals, memories, personal items, and conversations with people who knew her well. She also reviewed stories written by other Black autistic women. Together, these sources helped identify common experiences related to social interactions, sensory overload, masking autistic traits, changing behavior to fit in, and preparing for social situations.
What were the results and conclusions of the study?
The study found that sensory overload, social exclusion, and pressure to hide autistic traits or adapt to different cultural expectations often led to emotional exhaustion and feelings of disconnection from one’s identity. At the same time, careful planning, sensory-friendly environments, and supportive relationships helped create a greater sense of comfort, safety, and belonging. These findings highlight that social experiences are shaped by the combined effects of autism, race, and gender.
What is new or controversial about these findings?
This study challenges the idea that autism is experienced in the same way by everyone. It highlights how race and gender can influence how autism is expressed, how people are treated by others, and the strategies they use to cope. The findings suggest that hiding autistic traits and changing behavior to fit in may help people navigate social situations, but these strategies can also have significant emotional and mental health costs.
What are potential weaknesses in the study?
This study focuses on the experiences of one Black autistic woman. Because everyone’s experiences are different, the findings may not reflect the experiences of all autistic people. However, the study provides detailed insights that can help readers better understand an often overlooked perspective. Future research involving more participants could build on these findings.
How will these findings help autistic adults now or in the future?
The findings highlight the importance of creating environments where autistic people feel accepted without having to hide important parts of themselves. They encourage health care professionals, educators, employers, and community leaders to consider how autism, race, and gender can shape a person’s experiences. Greater awareness of these issues may help reduce stigma, improve support services, and promote better mental health and quality of life for autistic adults from marginalized communities.