Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire

Scale Overview & Construct

25-item self-report measure of camouflaging behaviors used by autistic and non-autistic adults. Assesses three factors: compensation (strategies to compensate for social difficulties), masking (presenting a non-autistic persona), and assimilation (strategies to fit into social situations).

25-Item Scale Likert Self-Report Dimensional Breakdown Server-Side Validated

Purpose & Measurement Objectives

25-item self-report measure of camouflaging behaviors used by autistic and non-autistic adults. Assesses three factors: compensation (strategies to compensate for social difficulties), masking (presenting a non-autistic persona), and assimilation (strategies to fit into social situations). Based on your answers to its 25 items, you'll get a breakdown across its 3 component areas as well as an overall picture, showing where the pattern is strongest for you. Your result gives you a clearer, more specific picture of how you've been thinking, feeling, or coping recently, rather than a vague sense of it.

Instrument Specifications

Target Population

Teachers, Educators & Faculty

Administration Format

Self-Administered

Intended Domain / Purpose

Research & Empirical Study

Recommended Age Bracket

Adults (18+ yrs)

Duration & Pacing

10 Minutes (Self-Paced)

Access License

Open Creative Commons

Scientific Documentation & Psychometric Rigor

Developer / Author

Hull, L., Petrides, K. V., Allison, C., Smith, P., Baron-Cohen, S., Lai, M. C., & Mandy, W.

Development Year

2019

Theoretical Construct & Framework Measures camouflaging of autistic traits in social situations — compensation, masking, and assimilation strategies used by autistic individuals.

Internal Consistency & Reliability

Original validation study reported high internal consistency across subscales.

Construct & Criterion Validity

Developed and validated with autistic and non-autistic adults; distinguishes autistic from non-autistic respondents on camouflaging behavior.

Academic Citations

Hull, L., Petrides, K. V., Allison, C., Smith, P., Baron-Cohen, S., Lai, M. C., & Mandy, W. (2019). "Putting on My Best Normal": Social Camouflaging in Adults with Autism Spectrum Conditions. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(3), 819-833.

Academic Citation & Instrument Provenance

When referencing this instrument in research, academic theses, or clinical institutional audits, please cite the original author publication:

License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Citation: 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(3), 819-833. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3792-6 This is not a diagnostic tool. If you are in crisis or having thoughts of self-harm, please contact a licensed mental health professional or a crisis helpline in your country immediately. Low/Moderate/High bands below reflect this test's own possible score range only (simple thirds) — they are NOT a clinical threshold or population norm. No such cutoff has been published for this instrument.

Governance, Boundaries & Ethical Use

Construct Boundaries & Interpretive Limitations

Imported from the OpenScales open item-bank project. This specific digital implementation has not been independently clinically validated by PsiQ — scores are for self-reflection, research, and educational purposes only, and are not a diagnosis.

License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Citation: 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(3), 819-833. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3792-6 This is not a diagnostic tool. If you are in crisis or having thoughts of self-harm, please contact a licensed mental health professional or a crisis helpline in your country immediately. Low/Moderate/High bands below reflect this test's own possible score range only (simple thirds) — they are NOT a clinical threshold or population norm. No such cutoff has been published for this instrument.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire?

25-item self-report measure of camouflaging behaviors used by autistic and non-autistic adults. Assesses three factors: compensation (strategies to compensate for social difficulties), masking (presenting a non-autistic persona), and assimilation (strategies to fit into social situations).

How long does the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire take?

It takes about 10 minutes to answer all 25 questions. You can go at your own pace.

Is this test free, and is it available in Hindi?

Yes, it is free with a PsiQ account. The questions and answer options are available in English, Hindi and Hinglish.

Can this test diagnose a condition?

No. Online self-report scales are for self-reflection, education and research, not diagnosis. If you are worried about your mental health, please speak to a qualified mental-health professional.