Frontiers in child and adolescent psychiatry
Clinical characteristics and camouflaging behaviors in children and adolescents with late-diagnosed autism spectrum disorder: a retrospective descriptive study
By Özbaran NB, Şener Zİ, Sarı S and 1 others.
Abstract
Purpose
Autism is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent difficulties in social communication and interaction, together with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. Camouflaging-related behaviors and co-occurring psychiatric disorders may make autistic features less visible and contribute to delayed recognition. This study aimed to examine clinical characteristics and camouflaging-related behaviors among children and adolescents with late-diagnosed autism.
Methods
This retrospective chart review included 46 children and adolescents aged 6-21 years who received an ASD diagnosis after the age of six. Autism diagnoses had been confirmed using a standardized observational assessment. Data were retrospectively extracted using structured case report forms based on clinical records, parental reports, and literature-informed camouflaging-related clinical features.