Sex-Based Differences in Autism Symptoms in a Large, Clinically-Referred Sample of Preschool-Aged Children with ASD.

This study looked at autism symptoms in 481 young children (ages 2-5) to see if boys and girls show different patterns. Parents filled out questionnaires about their child's behaviors. The researchers found that girls with autism showed less severe symptoms in several areas including repetitive behaviors and unusual behaviors compared to boys. These differences were noticeable but not huge. The study suggests that autism may look different in girls versus boys, even from a very young age.

This study examined sex-based differences in autism symptoms among 481 preschool-aged children (100 female) diagnosed with ASD, using parent ratings on the Autism Spectrum Rating Scale (ASRS). The clinically-referred sample had a mean nonverbal IQ of 67.11. Results showed that females had significantly less severe symptoms across multiple domains including total autism symptoms, unusual behaviors, DSM-5 criteria, and stereotypy. Effect sizes were small-to-medium but statistically significant.

The study also found differential relationships between nonverbal IQ and autism symptoms between males and females, providing evidence that sex-based differences in autism presentation are observable from early childhood.

Findings suggest that autism may present differently in females versus males from early childhood, potentially requiring sex-specific assessment tools and diagnostic criteria. Clinicians should be aware that females may show less obvious or severe symptoms, which could lead to underdiagnosis or delayed identification of autism in girls.

The study relied solely on parent ratings rather than clinical observations. The sample had relatively low average nonverbal IQ (67.11), which may limit generalizability to children with higher cognitive abilities. The abstract does not specify the study design or methodology used.

Previous research has identified possible sex-based differences in restricted and repetitive behaviors in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, this finding is mixed, particularly among preschool-aged children. We investigated the presence of sex-based differences in parent-rated ASD symptomatology, using the Autism Spectrum Rating Scale (ASRS). Participants consisted of a large (n = 481,100 female), clinically-referred sample of preschoolers (ages 2-5) diagnosed with ASD (NVIQ: M = 67.11, SD = 21.79).

Females had less severe symptoms on the Total, Unusual Behaviors, DSM-5, and Stereotypy scales on the ASRS. The effects were small-to-medium, but statistically significant. There was evidence of differential relationships between nonverbal IQ and ASRS scores among males and females. This study provides additional evidence of sex-based differences in ASD symptoms present from an early age.