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Gender Differences and Similarities: Autism Symptomatology and Developmental Functioning in Young Children

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Abstract

A growing body of research suggests that symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may present differently in males and females. This study examined gender differences in ASD symptoms and developmental functioning, using the Baby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtism Traits, Part 1 (BISCUIT-Part 1) and the Battelle Developmental Inventory, 2nd Edition (BDI-2), amongst children aged 17–37 months meeting ASD diagnostic criteria (n = 1317). No gender differences were found in regards to overall symptom severity or symptom domains on the BISCUIT-Part 1 when gender groups were matched by cognitive ability. Females with ASD had greater motor deficits and less communication impairment compared to their male counterparts as measured by the BDI-2. Secondary analyses examining item endorsement patterns were also conducted. Implications of the findings are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, 236 Audubon Hall, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA

    Maya Matheis, Johnny L. Matson & Esther Hong

  2. Child Study Center, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA

    Paige E. Cervantes

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  1. Maya Matheis
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  2. Johnny L. Matson
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  3. Esther Hong
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  4. Paige E. Cervantes
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Contributions

MM conceived of the study, participated in its design, performed the statistical analysis, participated in the interpretation of the data, and helped to draft the manuscript; JM participated in the design and coordination of the study; EH helped to draft the manuscript; PC participated in the interpretation of the data and helped to draft the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Maya Matheis.

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Conflict of interest

Mrs. Deann Matson, Dr. Johnny L. Matson’s wife, is the sole owner of the Baby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtism Traits (BISCUIT) and sells the scale. Ms. Maya Matheis, Ms. Esther Hong, and Dr. Paige E. Cervantes declares that they have no conflict of interest.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Matheis, M., Matson, J.L., Hong, E. et al. Gender Differences and Similarities: Autism Symptomatology and Developmental Functioning in Young Children. J Autism Dev Disord 49, 1219–1231 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3819-z

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