Understanding Autistic Traits The Revised Comprehensive Autistic Trait Inventory (CATI-R) is a self-report measure originally developed by Michael C. W. English, Gilles E. Gignac, Troy A. W. Visser, Andrew J. O. Whitehouse, James T. Enns, and Murray T. Maybery at the University of Western Australia and the University of British Columbia. The CATI-R was revised in partnership with 22 individuals from the autism and autistic communities to increase clarity, reduce stigma, and better capture diverse autistic experiences. It assesses traits across six dimensions: Social Interactions, Communication, Social Camouflage, Self-Regulatory Behaviours, Cognitive (In)Flexibility, and Sensory Sensitivity.
Note: This survey is not a diagnostic tool. It is part of a research study exploring the relationship between autistic traits and imagery experiences, including aphantasia.
Instructions: Below is a list of statements relating to various personality traits, behaviours, and characteristics. Using the five response options, select the option that best describes you. When responding, think about yourself both now and across your life. For items of a social nature, think about situations that do not involve very close friends or family members. Try not to spend too much time thinking about each choice.
1. I fiddle or play repetitively with objects or body parts (e.g., clicking pens or twirling my hair)*
I fiddle or play repetitively with objects or body parts (e.g., clicking pens or twirling my hair) 2. I like to stick to certain routines/rituals for everyday tasks*
I like to stick to certain routines/rituals for everyday tasks 3. I expend a lot of mental energy trying to fit in with others*
I expend a lot of mental energy trying to fit in with others 4. I am sensitive to bright lights*
I am sensitive to bright lights 5. I prefer to do activities the same way (e.g., how I arrange food on my plate, or organise my clothes)*
I prefer to do activities the same way (e.g., how I arrange food on my plate, or organise my clothes) 6. I observe people interacting (e.g., in movies or everyday situations) and try to imitate them when I need to socialise*
I observe people interacting (e.g., in movies or everyday situations) and try to imitate them when I need to socialise 7. I tend to rock my whole body or repetitively move body parts (e.g., tapping fingers, or bouncing my knee)*
I tend to rock my whole body or repetitively move body parts (e.g., tapping fingers, or bouncing my knee) 8. I enjoy social events (e.g., e.g., weddings or birthdays)*
I enjoy social events (e.g., e.g., weddings or birthdays) 9. I make an effort to appear more sociable*
I make an effort to appear more sociable 10. I try to avoid social situations that involve face-to-face interactions with people I do not know well*
I try to avoid social situations that involve face-to-face interactions with people I do not know well 11. My senses can be overloaded in some situations*
My senses can be overloaded in some situations 12. Fiddling with objects (e.g., keys or soft toys) can help me calm down or collect my thoughts*
Fiddling with objects (e.g., keys or soft toys) can help me calm down or collect my thoughts 13. I find it difficult to understand non-verbal cues (e.g., facial expressions, body language) of people I don't know well*
I find it difficult to understand non-verbal cues (e.g., facial expressions, body language) of people I don't know well 14. I can have strong preferences about how my belongings are organised*
I can have strong preferences about how my belongings are organised 15. Social interaction is easy for me*
Social interaction is easy for me 16. When interacting with other people, I spend a lot of effort monitoring how I am perceived*
When interacting with other people, I spend a lot of effort monitoring how I am perceived 17. I find social occasions challenging, tiring, or stressful*
I find social occasions challenging, tiring, or stressful 18. I am sensitive to touch*
I am sensitive to touch 19. I find it easy to sense what someone else is feeling (e.g., due to their facial expression or tone of voice)*
I find it easy to sense what someone else is feeling (e.g., due to their facial expression or tone of voice) 20. I tend to pace or move around in a repetitive path*
I tend to pace or move around in a repetitive path 21. I feel discomfort when prevented from completing a particular routine*
I feel discomfort when prevented from completing a particular routine 22. I find it helpful to plan how I will interact with others (e.g., things to share or questions to ask)*
I find it helpful to plan how I will interact with others (e.g., things to share or questions to ask) 23. People who do not know me well tend to misunderstand me (e.g., people think I am angry or flirting with them)*
People who do not know me well tend to misunderstand me (e.g., people think I am angry or flirting with them) 24. I am sensitive to particular tastes (e.g., salty, sour, spicy, or sweet) or textures (e.g., slippery, coarse, sharp)*
I am sensitive to particular tastes (e.g., salty, sour, spicy, or sweet) or textures (e.g., slippery, coarse, sharp) 25. I engage in certain repetitive actions or activities when I feel stressed (e.g., playing with sensory toys or watching the same movie)*
I engage in certain repetitive actions or activities when I feel stressed (e.g., playing with sensory toys or watching the same movie) 26. I do not use non-verbal cues intuitively in my interactions with others (e.g., eye gaze, facial expression, or hand gestures)*
I do not use non-verbal cues intuitively in my interactions with others (e.g., eye gaze, facial expression, or hand gestures) 27. I prefer to do things in a certain way, or re-doing things until it is satisfactory to me*
I prefer to do things in a certain way, or re-doing things until it is satisfactory to me 28. I feel confident or capable when meeting new people*
I feel confident or capable when meeting new people 29. I tend to suppress certain behaviours even though I find them soothing*
I tend to suppress certain behaviours even though I find them soothing 30. Sensing what someone else is feeling can be stressful for me*
Sensing what someone else is feeling can be stressful for me 31. A smell can make it hard for me to focus on anything else*
A smell can make it hard for me to focus on anything else 32. There are certain repetitive actions that others consider to be characteristic of me (e.g., stroking my hair or talking about a particular subject)*
There are certain repetitive actions that others consider to be characteristic of me (e.g., stroking my hair or talking about a particular subject) 34. I feel distressed when plans are changed*
I feel distressed when plans are changed 35. I find it difficult to make new friends or maintain friendships*
I find it difficult to make new friends or maintain friendships 36. I experience strong reactions to unexpected loud noises*
I experience strong reactions to unexpected loud noises 37. I have experienced difficulty understanding someone else's point-of-view*
I have experienced difficulty understanding someone else's point-of-view 38. I like to arrange items in particular ways (e.g., in rows, patterns, by colour, by size etc.)*
I like to arrange items in particular ways (e.g., in rows, patterns, by colour, by size etc.) 39. I try to follow certain rules in order to get by in social situations*
I try to follow certain rules in order to get by in social situations 40. I am sensitive to flickering lights*
I am sensitive to flickering lights 41. I have certain habits that I find difficult to stop (e.g., biting/tearing nails, pulling strands of hair)*
I have certain habits that I find difficult to stop (e.g., biting/tearing nails, pulling strands of hair) 42. I have difficulty understanding the norms or unspoken rules of social situations*
I have difficulty understanding the norms or unspoken rules of social situations