Focusing on Autism Symptoms Masks Sex-Specific Needs of Autistic Children: An Example from the Sydney Child Neurodevelopment Research Registry
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| Title: | Focusing on Autism Symptoms Masks Sex-Specific Needs of Autistic Children: An Example from the Sydney Child Neurodevelopment Research Registry |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Marie Antoinette Hodge (ORCID |
| Source: | Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. 2025 29(5):1318-1332. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 15 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Autism Spectrum Disorders, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Children, Gender Differences, Individual Characteristics, Severity (of Disability), Behavior Problems, Age Differences, Clinical Diagnosis, Foreign Countries, Parent Background, Educational Attainment |
| Geographic Terms: | Australia |
| Assessment and Survey Identifiers: | Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Stanford Binet Intelligence Scale, Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Mullen Scales of Early Learning, Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13623613241303550 |
| ISSN: | 1362-3613 1461-7005 |
| Abstract: | Studies have shown that there are differences between the presentations of males and females diagnosed with autism. There remains a developing understanding about how the presentation of autism differs between boys (hereafter referred to as 'assigned males at birth') and girls (assigned females at birth). This study sought to investigate the presence of sex differences in autistic children. Participants (1.11-17.97 years) attended an assessment clinic and participated in measures of intelligence/development, social/communication skills and behaviour. Adaptive skills were evaluated using a range of standardised measures, and other clinical and demographic variables were collected (e.g. age, intelligence quotient, ratio of male to female). Assigned males at birth displayed more autism characteristics and greater symptom autism severity than assigned females at birth. No significant differences were found between assigned males at birth and assigned females at birth on any measure of intelligence. Children assigned males at birth received assessments 6 months earlier than children assigned females at birth on average. Externalising behaviour problems were more evident in assigned males at birth, but statistically significant differences in adaptive skills were not apparent between assigned males at birth and assigned females at birth. This study showed assigned females at birth and assigned males at birth differ in autism symptoms and severity and age at diagnosis based on a real-world sample. It highlights the importance of balancing assessments of symptoms with assessment of adaptive function. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1469264 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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| Abstract: | Studies have shown that there are differences between the presentations of males and females diagnosed with autism. There remains a developing understanding about how the presentation of autism differs between boys (hereafter referred to as 'assigned males at birth') and girls (assigned females at birth). This study sought to investigate the presence of sex differences in autistic children. Participants (1.11-17.97 years) attended an assessment clinic and participated in measures of intelligence/development, social/communication skills and behaviour. Adaptive skills were evaluated using a range of standardised measures, and other clinical and demographic variables were collected (e.g. age, intelligence quotient, ratio of male to female). Assigned males at birth displayed more autism characteristics and greater symptom autism severity than assigned females at birth. No significant differences were found between assigned males at birth and assigned females at birth on any measure of intelligence. Children assigned males at birth received assessments 6 months earlier than children assigned females at birth on average. Externalising behaviour problems were more evident in assigned males at birth, but statistically significant differences in adaptive skills were not apparent between assigned males at birth and assigned females at birth. This study showed assigned females at birth and assigned males at birth differ in autism symptoms and severity and age at diagnosis based on a real-world sample. It highlights the importance of balancing assessments of symptoms with assessment of adaptive function. |
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| ISSN: | 1362-3613 1461-7005 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13623613241303550 |
