Masking in Autism and ADHD: Why So Many Adults Don’t Realize They’re Neurodivergent

Many autistic and ADHD adults don’t realize they’re neurodivergent until adulthood—not because the signs weren’t there, but because they learned to hide them. Masking, also known as camouflaging, is a survival strategy that helps people “fit in” socially while quietly draining their energy and mental health. This article explores how masking shows up in autism and ADHD, why it often leads to late diagnosis, and what the research says about its emotional cost.