Uncover Your Masking Patterns — Free 12-Question Self-Assessment
Take the free masking and camouflaging reflection. 12 questions reflecting on compensation, masking, and assimilation — grounded in established camouflaging research. Instant results revealing how much social energy you spend performing neurotypicality. This is a self-reflection tool, not a clinical assessment.
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What is the Masking Test?
Masking (also called camouflaging) is the conscious or unconscious suppression of neurodivergent traits to appear neurotypical in social situations. This reflection looks at three strategies described in established camouflaging research: Compensation (learned social scripts), Masking (hiding natural traits), and Assimilation (changing your identity to fit in).
High masking is associated with increased anxiety, depression, and autistic burnout — even when it appears socially "successful." Autistic women consistently show higher masking scores than autistic men, which partly explains why women are diagnosed later or missed entirely. Understanding your masking patterns is the first step toward reducing unnecessary performance and protecting your energy.
What You'll Discover
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is masking only an autism thing?▼
Masking is most studied in autism, but it also occurs in ADHD, social anxiety, and among people from marginalised groups who feel pressure to conform. If you score high on this test but don't identify as autistic, your scores are still valid and meaningful — the energy cost of performing is real regardless of diagnosis.
Is masking always bad?▼
No. Some masking is a useful social skill — everyone adjusts their behaviour somewhat in different contexts. The problem arises when masking becomes constant, exhausting, and prevents you from being authentic. Peer-reviewed research suggests high masking correlates with anxiety, depression, and burnout.
Do women mask more?▼
Peer-reviewed research consistently suggests that autistic women score higher on masking measures than autistic men. This contributes to later or missed diagnosis in women. However, masking exists across all genders, and the broader camouflaging research describes the strategies people use across gender groups.
Take the Masking & Camouflaging Test Now
Discover your Masking Test profile. 12 questions, 3 min, free to take.
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