CAT-Q Masking Assessment
Understand how much you camouflage in social situations. Measures compensation strategies, masking behaviours, and efforts to fit in.
Created by Dr Laura Hull and colleagues at University College London. Published 2018 in the journal Autism.
Validated in both autistic and non-autistic populations. Excellent internal consistency (α = 0.94).
Measures Compensation (learned strategies), Masking (hiding traits), and Assimilation (fitting in).
What is the CAT-Q?
The CAT-Q (Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire) measures social camouflaging—the strategies people use to hide or compensate for autistic characteristics in social situations.
Camouflaging is common among autistic people, particularly those who were diagnosed late or who learned to mask their traits to fit in. While it can help navigate social situations, sustained camouflaging is linked to exhaustion, burnout, and mental health challenges.
The questionnaire asks about your typical experiences in social situations and takes approximately 5 minutes to complete.
How is the CAT-Q scored?
Each of the 25 questions is scored from 1 to 7 (Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree). Subscale scores are summed for Compensation, Masking, and Assimilation; the total score ranges from 25 to 175. Higher scores indicate greater camouflaging.
The CAT-Q describes your camouflaging patterns; it doesn't diagnose autism. High or low scores are a starting point for understanding how you navigate social situations and where it might be costing you energy.