The Comprehensive Autistic Trait Inventory (CATI) is a self-report inventory of autistic traits developed in collaboration with autistic people. CATI-R (revised) “provides a revised trait inventory that resonates with actual autistic experience, along with guidelines for creating self-report measures that are sensitive, accessible, and non-stigmatising.”
Previous autism assessments are outdated, misguided, and stigmatizing. Unlike those assessments, CATI has been designed with autistic people.
CATI was recently revised and validated in a large online study.
Autistic people know what it means to be autistic. So autistic people may be especially well-placed to determine how autistic traits and experiences should be measured and described. Until now, most autism questionnaires have been made by non-autistic people. In our project, autistic people—including those with and without academic research backgrounds—edited an autism questionnaire called the ‘Comprehensive Autistic Trait Inventory’, or ‘CATI’ for short. This is a survey that requires people to read a list of statements and indicate how much each relates to their own experiences. It is used to measure the extent to which people in the general population (including those who are not autistic) have experiences associated with autism. In a large online study, we found that the edited measure consistently and accurately measured autistic traits. We also propose basic guidelines for developing measures that better capture autistic people’s experiences by using questions that are respectful and follow language preferences of the community.
Our analysis indicates that the Comprehensive Autistic Trait Inventory is a practical measure of autistic traits in non-autistic and autistic participants that is useful for researchers and clinicians and for affirming self-identity.
Psychometric evaluation of the Comprehensive Autistic Trait Inventory in autistic and non-autistic adults – Michael CW English, Rebecca E Poulsen, Murray T Maybery, David McAlpine, Paul F Sowman, Elizabeth Pellicano, 2025
Sample Questions
Here’s a sample of the 42 questions spread across 6 areas:
- SOC = Social Interactions
- RIG = Cognitive Rigidity
- COM = Communication
- REP = Repetitive Behaviours
- MAS = Masking
- SEN = Sensory Sensitivity
REP: I fiddle or play repetitively with objects or body parts (e.g., clicking pens or twirling my hair)
RIG : I like to stick to certain routines/rituals for everyday tasks
MAS: I expend a lot of mental energy trying to fit in with others
SEN: I am sensitive to bright lights
RIG: I prefer to do activities the same way (e.g., how l arrange food on my plate, or organise my clothes)
MAS: I observe people interacting (e.g., in movies or everyday situations) and try to imitate them when I need to socialise
Full Text
You can find the full CATI questionnaire here:
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