The Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q)
The Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q) is a self-report measure of social camouflaging behaviours in adults. It may be used to identify autistic individuals who do not currently meet diagnostic criteria due to their ability to mask their autistic proclivities.
The CAT-Q measures the degree to which you use camouflaging strategies. The more you camouflage, the more of your autistic proclivities you are likely able to suppress. As such, a high camouflaging score can also account for lower scores on other autism tests. So if you don’t currently meet the diagnostic criteria but you still think you have autistic traits, then this could be why.
The CAT-Q measures camouflaging in general, as well as three subcategories:
Compensation — Strategies used to actively compensate for difficulties in social situations. Examples: copying body language and facial expressions, learning social cues from movies and books (see Autism & movie talk).
Masking — Strategies used to hide autistic characteristics or portray a non-autistic persona. Examples: adjusting face and body to appear confident and/or relaxed, forcing eye contact.
Assimilation — Strategies used to try to fit in with others in social situations. Examples: Putting on an act, avoiding or forcing interactions with others.