Boys are more likely than girls to be diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The extreme male brain (EMB) theory of ASD suggests that fetal testosterone (FT) exposure may underlie sex differences in autistic traits. A link between the organizational effects of FT on the brain and ASD is often drawn based on research using digit ratio (2D:4D), a putative biomarker, without a full survey of the findings. This paper critically and quantitatively reviews the research on the relationship between 2D:4D and ASD as well as autism spectrum, empathizing, and systemizing measures in neurotypical populations. Overall, there is some support for the EMB theory in all four areas, particularly the 2D:4D-ASD relationship. Recommendations for future research are provided.

Although research has focused on the premenstrual phase to the neglect of the periovulatory phase, it appears that a subgroup of women with BD, possibly those with hormonal sensitivity, experience menstrual cycle effects on depressive, hypomanic, and manic episodes. These phase-episode effects appear to be heterogeneous and may have implications for treatment. Whether they might best be described using course specifiers, similar to postpartum onset and rapid cycling, or as diagnostic entities, like PMDD, requires further study.

A new measure, the Strengths Assessment Inventory-Youth self-report (SAI-Y), was recently developed to assess the strengths of children and adolescents between the ages of 10 and 18 years. The SAI-Y differs from similar measures in that it provides a comprehensive assessment of strengths that are intrinsic to the individual as well as strengths associated with an individual's interaction with his or her environment. Based on over 10 years of test development as well as previous research, the 120 items of the SAI-Y contribute to 11 content scales (e.g., Strengths at Home) and 12 empirical scales (e.g., Commitment to Family Values). The purpose of the current report is to describe the procedure that guided the development of the SAI-Y coupled with an initial study of the psychometric properties of the instrument. The SAI-Y was administered to 572 elementary and secondary school students of which 455 also completed the measure following a one-to two-week interval. Based on this data, the following psychometric properties were examined: internal consistency, standard error of measurement, and test-retest reliability. Overall, results indicated that the SAI-Y demonstrates acceptable to good levels of reliability and may be a valuable addition to current measures that assess aspects of positive functioning. Ongoing research projects and future directions are discussed.

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