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Does Gender Matter? A One Year Follow-up of Autistic, Attention and Anxiety Symptoms in High-Functioning Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Abstract

Gender differences in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms and associated problem behaviours over development may provide clues regarding why more males than females are diagnosed with ASD. Fifty-six high-functioning children with ASD, and 44 typically developing controls, half of the participants female, were assessed at baseline (aged 7–12 years) and one-year later, collecting measures of autism, attention and anxiety symptoms, school placement and support information. Findings indicated no gender differences in autistic symptoms. Males were more hyperactive and received more integration-aide support in mainstream schools, and females were more socially anxious. Overall, similar gender profiles were present across two time points. Lower hyperactivity levels in females might contribute to their under-identification. Implications are discussed using a biopsychosocial model of gender difference.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all the families that generously gave up their time to participate in this research.

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  1. Nicole Rinehart

    Present address: Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Melbourne, VIC, 3125, Australia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Wellington Rd, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia

    Tamara May, Kim Cornish & Nicole Rinehart

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  1. Tamara May
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Correspondence to Tamara May.

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May, T., Cornish, K. & Rinehart, N. Does Gender Matter? A One Year Follow-up of Autistic, Attention and Anxiety Symptoms in High-Functioning Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 44, 1077–1086 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1964-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1964-y

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