CAT-Q
Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire
A 25-item self-report measure of social camouflaging behaviours in adults.
For each statement, select the response that best describes your experience. There are no right or wrong answers — respond based on how things generally are for you.
About the CAT-Q
The Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire is a self-report screening tool developed by Laura Hull and colleagues in 2018. It measures the strategies people use to mask or hide autistic traits in social situations — behaviours that are especially common among autistic women and often go unrecognised by other screening instruments.
Designed for adults (16+) with at least average intelligence. Takes about 5–10 minutes to complete.
What it measures
Compensation
Strategies used to cope with or mitigate social difficulties. 9 items.
Masking
Active attempts to hide autistic traits or appear non-autistic. 8 items.
Assimilation
Efforts to fit in socially when it does not come naturally. 8 items.
Scoring
Each of the 25 statements is rated 1–7, for a total range of 25 to 175. A score of 100 or above suggests significant camouflaging.
Reference scores
Autistic Women
124
Autistic Men
109
Non-Autistic Women
91
Non-Autistic Men
81
Reliability
Validation studies report strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s α ≈ 0.94 for the full scale; 0.85–0.92 across subscales) and stable test-retest reliability over three months.
Important: The CAT-Q is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. Camouflaging behaviours occur in both autistic and non-autistic people. For a formal evaluation, consult a qualified clinician.
Hull, L., Mandy, W., Lai, M.-C., Baron-Cohen, S., Allison, C., Smith, P., & Petrides, K. V. (2019). Development and Validation of the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49, 819–833.