Parent-reported differences between school-aged girls and boys on the autism spectrum

Abstract

More boys than girls are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder; however, there are conflicting findings about whether they differ in their presentation. This study involved a survey of parents of school-aged children on the autism spectrum (171 parents of girls and 163 parents of boys) that was distributed via social media. The surveys provided insights regarding the characteristics of boys and girls (as perceived by parents) as well as some demographic information. There were very few differences reported regarding communication and social strengths and difficulties of boys and girls with autism. No differences were reported in the number of boys and girls on the autism spectrum with special interests or repetitive behaviours; however, significant differences were found in the types of special interests with boys and girls showing generally interests along traditional gender lines. Qualitative analysis of open comments indicated that some parents of girls on the autism spectrum described their daughter as trying to hide or mask her difficulties more but no parents of boys on the spectrum described this phenomenon.

The Female Autism Phenotype and Camouflaging: a Narrative Review

“…Tierney et al (2016) interviewed 10 adolescent autistic girls about their experiences of using 'coping strategies' and revealed some common themes including the uncertain, exhausting nature of the social environment; the desire to make friends which motivated camouflaging attempts; and using explicit techniques to mask autism-related difficulties. Similar themes have also been noted in qualitative interviews with late-diagnosed autistic women (Bargiela et al 2016), and with autistic young women and their parents (Milner et al 2019;Sedgewick et al 2019;Sutherland et al 2017). In particular, the idea of pretending to be normal, which could be achieved through both learned and automatic strategies, and the extensive costs of such strategies, were identified.…”

“…While the intensity of the interest itself may be atypical for both genders, the type of interest may be considered more age and gender appropriate for females than males, and so may not be reported as unusual by parents, teachers or clinicians Sutherland et al 2017). Alternatively, because the interest is seen as more appropriate, it may create fewer difficulties for the autistic individual and their family, and not be considered clinically significant.…”

Sex differences in social attention in autism spectrum disorder

“…in preschool‐aged females with ASD, mirroring trends observed in typical development [e.g., Maccoby & Jacklin, ; Servin, Bohlin, & Berlin, ]. These differences were also found in a large survey of parents of school‐aged children with ASD, with differences in the types of interests held by males and females with ASD replicating what is reported in typical development [Sutherland et al, ]. Thus, both males and females with ASD tend to pursue sex‐typical interests; however, because these interests are potentially more social for females, this may suggest that differences in both social motivation and CI between males and females with ASD could contribute to distinct developmental processes and trajectories.…”

“…A growing body of research suggests subtle differences between the male and female phenotype of ASD that may contribute to differential trajectories and outcomes [Van Wijngaarden‐Cremers et al, ]. Two areas of relevance for this study include higher social motivation in ASD females [Sedgewick, Hill, Yates, Pickering, & Pellicano, ] and more typical/fewer circumscribed interests (CI) [Hiller, Young, & Weber, , ; Sutherland, Hodge, Bruck, Costley, & Klieve, ].…”

Towards sex- and gender-informed autism research

“…They also point out that sex and gender differences in autism observed by clinicians may fall outside of the psychiatric diagnostic criteria for autism, and such differences can vary by developmental stages. Sutherland et al (2017) discovered that compared to autistic boys, autistic girls had more special interests that fit traditional gender stereotypes, for example, an intense focus on animals or dancing. Such gender-normative interests may go unremarked by clinicians, and thus not be scored as an autistic behaviour during assessments, contributing to the lower RSB scores of autistic girls and women.…”