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Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q)


What it is​

The CAT-Q (Camouflaging Autistic Trait - Questionnaire) is a self-report measure of social camouflaging behaviours in adults. It can be used to identify autistic individuals who might not currently meet diagnostic criteria due to their ability to mask their autistic traits. The measure assesses the degree that an individual uses camouflaging strategies in their day-to-day life. High scores on the measure can account for lower scores on other tests of autism. IT can be a useful measure for individuals who do not meet diagnostic criteria but you still think may have autistic traits. The measure assesses general camouflaging as well as providing three subscales:

  • Compensation: Strategies a person might use to compensate for difficulties in social situations such as copying body language or learning social cues from others or movies.
  • Masking: Strategies an individual might use to either hide their autistic traits or to portray a non-autistic personsa such as forced eye contact.
  • Assimilation: Strategies an individual might use to try and fit in with others during social situations such as acting or forcing interactions with others.

How is it used​

  • Can be used with adults (17yrs+)
  • Takes approximately 7mins to complete
  • Asks about a variety of behaviours in social situations
  • Used as a screening tool for camouflaging behaviours

What do the scores mean?​

The CAT-Q has 25 statements, with all items using the same seven level response from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree). The questionnaire provides a total score of camouflaging and scores across the three subcategories of compensation, masking and assimilation. The total score is between 25 and 175 with higher scores reflecting more camouflaging behaviours. The compensation subscale is scored from 9 to 63, and the masking and assimilation subscales scores from 8 to 56.

Developer​

Hull et al. (2019). Development and Validation of the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q). Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders 49: 819–833.