Navigating adolescence; pubertal development in autism spectrum conditions and its relation to mental health

Abstract

Background: Adolescence is a period of social, psychological, and physiological change, including the onset of puberty. Differential pubertal onset has been linked to a myriad of problems, including mental health problems. In autism spectrum conditions (ASC) deviating pubertal development has been reported. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to examine the effect that pubertal timing has in ASC teens.Methods: 68 individuals (nASC= 34, nCOM (comparisons) = 34) aged 12 to 16 years were administered test concerning pubertal development and mental health (i.e., sensory sensitivity, autistic traits, depression, anxiety, and externalizing problems). We examined whether there was evidence for deviating pubertal development in ASC, and whether this asynchronicity was linked to mental health problems. Results: Our statistical (Frequentist and Bayesian) analyses revealed earlier onset and slower development of pubertal development in ASC and we did not find any sex differences. This maturation disparity was linked to higher mental health problems in ASC, but not in COM. No sex differences in the relation with mental health outcomes was found. Conclusions: We found evidence for a slower development of “true” puberty in those with ASC compared to those without. Moreover, we show that disparities in pubertal development are related to mental health in ASC, suggesting a greater impact on mental health in autistic than in non-autistic teens. Longitudinal studies are necessary to elucidate important developmental trajectories in puberty in neurodiverse populations.Keywords: autism spectrum conditions; puberty, pubertal development, mental health, sex differences