The CAT-Q (Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire) is a unique tool: it doesn't assess whether you have autistic traits, but rather how much you camouflage them - meaning, how much conscious or automatic effort you invest to hide your differences and appear "normal" in social situations. For many autistic people, especially those diagnosed in adulthood, Masking is a central part of their experience - and it is also one of the main causes of burnout and fatigue. On this page, you will find a full explanation, an interactive Hebrew version, and immediate results with a breakdown by strategies.
What is the CAT-Q Questionnaire and how does it work?
The CAT-Q was developed by Dr. Laura Hull and her colleagues and published in 2019. It includes 25 statements, and for each statement, you rate your agreement on a 7-point scale - from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree." The questionnaire was specifically designed to capture camouflaging behaviors that are difficult to identify externally, which is why some questions are phrased in reverse.
What exactly does the questionnaire measure?
The CAT-Q divides camouflaging into three strategies (subscales):
- Compensation - active strategies to compensate for social difficulties (e.g., learning "scripts," imitation, or researching social rules from movies).
- Masking - strategies to hide autistic traits or present a non-autistic "persona" (e.g., constant monitoring of facial expressions and body language).
- Assimilation - strategies designed to "fit in" and feel part of the group, sometimes with a sense of alienation or pretense.
This division helps to understand not only how much you camouflage, but also in what way.
How is the score calculated?
Each statement receives a score between 1 and 7 based on the degree of agreement. Five statements (numbers 3, 12, 19, 22, 24) are scored in reverse because they are phrased in the direction of "I feel free to be myself." The total score ranges from 25 to 175. There is no need to calculate anything - the interactive tool below does it for you and presents the result immediately, including a breakdown into the three strategies.
How to interpret the results?
The main reference point is a threshold of 100 points. A score of 100 or higher indicates, according to research, significant camouflaging. It is important to remember that camouflaging is not "good" or "bad" in itself - sometimes it is a vital survival tool. However, extensive and continuous camouflaging is associated with fatigue, Autistic Burnout, and emotional distress, so identifying it can be a first step towards a gentler approach to yourself.
What the CAT-Q questionnaire cannot tell you?
The CAT-Q does not diagnose Autism and does not determine that you are on the spectrum - it only examines camouflaging. It is also important to remember that camouflaging can be so automatic that it is difficult to report consciously, so a low score does not rule it out. The questionnaire is based on self-report, and the result is influenced by your level of self-awareness. It is a tool for reflection and understanding, not a substitute for professional assessment.
Ready to complete it? The full questionnaire appears here, and the result will be displayed immediately upon completion and is not saved anywhere:
What to do with the result?
You received a score - now what? Remember that this is a starting point for self-understanding, not a judgment. If the result resonated with you, here are some directions:
- Look at the breakdown by strategy. Are you primarily "compensating," "masking," or "assimilating"? Each strategy tells a different story about your experience.
- Consider the cost. If the score is high, it's worth asking yourself where camouflaging costs you energy - and where you might be able to allow yourself a little more authenticity.
- Gather more information. It's worth completing complementary questionnaires (AQ, EQ, RAADS-R) to get a broad perspective.
- Consider consulting a professional. Extensive camouflaging and a feeling of burnout are good reasons to consult a therapist who is familiar with the world of adult Autism.
The three sub-measures of the CAT-Q questionnaire
The total score is composed of three sub-measures that illuminate different camouflaging strategies. Compensation describes the active use of strategies to bridge social difficulties, such as imitating facial expressions or preparing conversation topics in advance. Masking describes the active concealment of autistic traits, such as suppressing Stimming or forcing eye contact. Assimilation describes the feeling of "playing a role" and not being yourself in the presence of others. Breaking down the score by sub-measures helps to understand not only how much a person camouflages, but also in what ways.
The connection between camouflaging and Autistic Burnout
Prolonged camouflaging takes a toll. The continuous effort to appear Neurotypical consumes cognitive and emotional resources and can lead to Autistic Burnout, anxiety, and damage to one's sense of identity. A high CAT-Q score is not a problem but information: it can explain unexplained fatigue after social interactions and open a conversation about environments where it is permissible to be more authentic. Recognizing camouflaging patterns is a first step towards healthier self-regulation.
If the result resonates with you, the next natural step is to understand what a formal Adult Autism Assessment process looks like. We have summarized this in the guide Adult Autism Assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is "camouflaging"?
Camouflaging is an effort - conscious or automatic - to hide autistic traits or compensate for them in order to fit in socially. For example: practicing facial expressions, imitating others, or suppressing self-soothing movements.
Does a high score mean I am on the spectrum?
Not necessarily. The CAT-Q measures camouflaging, not Autism. Even Neurotypical people sometimes camouflage, but extensive camouflaging is very common among autistic people, especially those diagnosed in adulthood.
I got a low score - does that mean I don't camouflage?
Not necessarily. Camouflaging can be so automatic that it is difficult to report consciously. If the feeling of social effort is familiar to you, it is worth taking it seriously regardless of the score.
How long does it take to complete the questionnaire?
About 5 to 10 minutes. The questionnaire includes 25 questions, and the result is displayed immediately upon completion.
Are my results saved?
No. The calculation is performed entirely in your browser, and the result is not sent or saved anywhere.
Want to better understand your profile?
One questionnaire is only part of the picture. These are complementary tools that may interest you:
- AQ Questionnaire - The Autistic Quotient, the most common screening tool for adults.
- EQ Questionnaire - The Empathy Quotient: identifying, understanding, and responding to the emotions of others.
- RAADS-R Questionnaire - A comprehensive screening tool for assessing autistic traits in adults.
Sources
- 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. doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3792-6
