CAT-Q Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire
Assess your social camouflaging behaviors
Do you mask your autism traits? Discover your camouflaging patterns with CAT-Q. 25 questions across 3 dimensions. Research-backed by Hull et al. 7 minutes.
What is Camouflaging?
Camouflaging (also called masking) refers to strategies autistic people use to hide their traits or appear more "neurotypical" in social situations. While it can help navigate social expectations, excessive camouflaging is linked to mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, and burnout.
Test Information
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Important Notice
This CAT-Q assessment is a screening tool designed to measure camouflaging behaviors. It is not a diagnostic tool for autism. High camouflaging scores may indicate that you mask autistic traits, but this doesn't confirm or rule out autism. Camouflaging can be exhausting and impact mental health. If you're concerned about your results or wellbeing, please consult with a healthcare professional experienced in autism assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is camouflaging?
Camouflaging (also called masking) refers to strategies autistic people use to hide their traits or appear more 'neurotypical' in social situations. This can include copying others' body language, forcing eye contact, suppressing stimming, or rehearsing conversations.
Why do autistic people camouflage?
Camouflaging often develops as a response to social pressure, bullying, or the desire to fit in. Many autistic people learn to mask to avoid negative reactions or discrimination. However, it can be mentally and emotionally exhausting.
Is camouflaging harmful?
While camouflaging can help in some situations, prolonged masking is linked to increased anxiety, depression, burnout, and delayed diagnosis. It can prevent people from getting the support they need and make it harder to understand their own needs.
Can non-autistic people camouflage?
Yes, everyone adapts their behavior in different social contexts to some degree. However, autistic camouflaging is typically more extensive, conscious, and effortful — often involving suppressing core aspects of one's identity rather than just adjusting behavior.
Do all autistic people camouflage?
No, not all autistic people camouflage, and the degree varies widely. Factors like gender, age, support needs, and environment can influence camouflaging behaviors. Research suggests that autistic women may camouflage more frequently.
What should I do if I have a high camouflaging score?
A high score suggests you may be expending significant energy on masking. Consider identifying safe spaces to unmask, connecting with the autistic community, speaking with a therapist who understands autism, and learning about self-advocacy.
Can this test diagnose autism?
No — the CAT-Q measures camouflaging behaviors, not autism itself. High scores may suggest you're masking autistic traits, but only a qualified healthcare professional can diagnose autism. If you suspect you're autistic, consider seeking a formal assessment.
How accurate is the CAT-Q?
The CAT-Q is a research-validated tool developed by Hull et al. (2019) and reliably measures camouflaging behaviors in autistic adults. However, like all self-report measures, it should be interpreted as one piece of information about your experiences.
Is my data private?
Yes. All your responses are stored locally in your browser only. No data is sent to any server or third party. You can clear your results anytime by clearing your browser data.