Factors influencing the probability of a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in girls versus boys

Autism ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 646-658 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorieke Duvekot ◽  
Jan van der Ende ◽  
Frank C Verhulst ◽  
Geerte Slappendel ◽  
Emma van Daalen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Emotional And Behavioral Problems ◽  
Short Version ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis

In order to shed more light on why referred girls are less likely to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder than boys, this study examined whether behavioral characteristics influence the probability of an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis differently in girls versus boys derived from a multicenter sample of consecutively referred children aged 2.5–10 years. Based on information from the short version of the Developmental, Dimensional and Diagnostic Interview and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 130 children (106 boys and 24 girls) received a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev.) criteria and 101 children (61 boys and 40 girls) did not. Higher overall levels of parent-reported repetitive and restricted behavior symptoms were less predictive of an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis in girls than in boys (odds ratio interaction = 0.41, 95% confidence interval = 0.18–0.92, p = 0.03). In contrast, higher overall levels of parent-reported emotional and behavioral problems increased the probability of an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis more in girls than in boys (odds ratio interaction = 2.44, 95% confidence interval = 1.13–5.29, p = 0.02). No differences were found between girls and boys in the prediction of an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis by overall autistic impairment, sensory symptoms, and cognitive functioning. These findings provide insight into possible explanations for the assumed underidentification of autism spectrum disorder in girls in the clinic.

scholarly journals Callous-unemotional traits in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD): replication of prevalence estimates and associations with gaze patterns when viewing fearful faces

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Virginia Carter Leno ◽  
Rachael Bedford ◽  
Susie Chandler ◽  
Pippa White ◽  
Isabel Yorke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Recognition Task ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Emotional And Behavioral Problems ◽  
Cu Traits ◽  
Fearful Faces ◽  
Callous Unemotional

Abstract Research suggests an increased prevalence of callous-unemotional (CU) traits in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and a similar impairment in fear recognition to that reported in non-ASD populations. However, past work has used measures not specifically designed to measure CU traits and has not examined whether decreased attention to the eyes reported in non-ASD populations is also present in individuals with ASD. The current paper uses a measure specifically designed to measure CU traits to estimate prevalence in a large community-based ASD sample. Parents of 189 adolescents with ASD completed questionnaires assessing CU traits, and emotional and behavioral problems. A subset of participants completed a novel emotion recognition task (n = 46). Accuracy, reaction time, total looking time, and number of fixations to the eyes and mouth were measured. Twenty-two percent of youth with ASD scored above a cut-off expected to identify the top 6% of CU scores. CU traits were associated with longer reaction times to identify fear and fewer fixations to the eyes relative to the mouth during the viewing of fearful faces. No associations were found with accuracy or total looking time. Results suggest the mechanisms that underpin CU traits may be similar between ASD and non-ASD populations.

scholarly journals An association of intrapartum synthetic oxytocin dosing and the odds of developing autism

Autism ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 1400-1410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen M Soltys ◽  
Jill Rose Scherbel ◽  
Joseph R Kurian ◽  
Todd Diebold ◽  
Teresa Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Cesarean Section ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis ◽  
High Cumulative Dose ◽  
First Time ◽  
Synthetic Oxytocin

A case-control study was performed to determine whether an association exists between exposure to synthetic oxytocin and a subsequent autism spectrum disorder diagnosis; 171 children under age 18 meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.) autism spectrum disorder criteria were compared to 171 children without autism spectrum disorder diagnosis matched by gender, birth year, gestational age, and maternal age at birth. A conditional logistic regression model was used to examine the association of clinical variables and autism spectrum disorder. Significantly elevated odds ratios for autism spectrum disorder were associated with first-time Cesarean section (odds ratio = 2.56), but not a repeat Cesarean section. Odds ratios were also significantly elevated for subjects whose mother’s body mass index was 35 or higher at birth (odds ratio = 2.34) and subjects in which the reason for delivery was categorized as “fetal indication” (odds ratio = 2.00). When controlling for these and other variables, the odds of developing autism spectrum disorder were significantly elevated in males with long duration of exposure (odds ratio = 3.48) and high cumulative dose of synthetic oxytocin (odds ratio = 2.79). No significant associations of synthetic oxytocin dosing and autism spectrum disorder were noted in female subjects. The association of elevated autism spectrum disorder odds found with high duration and high cumulative dose synthetic oxytocin in male subjects suggests the need for further investigation to fully elucidate any cause and effect relationship. Lay abstract Oxytocin is a hormone naturally produced in the human body that can make the womb (uterus) contract during labor. Manufactured oxytocin is frequently given to mothers in labor to strengthen the contractions or in some cases to start labor. This study compared children with a diagnosis of autism and children without autism to see whether children with autism received more oxytocin during labor. The odds of a child having an autism diagnosis were significantly higher if the delivery was a first-time Cesarean section, if the mother had a body mass index of 35 or higher, or if the reason for delivery were a range of fetal problems that made delivery necessary. It was found that boys who were exposed to oxytocin for longer periods of time during labor and received higher total doses of oxytocin had significantly higher odds of developing autism. There were no significant associations of oxytocin dosing and autism noted in female children. As this is the first study to look at any relationship between the dose of oxytocin received during labor and the odds of developing autism, further study needs to be done to determine whether there is any cause and effect relationship. Thus, at this time, there is no recommended change in clinical practice.

Gastrointestinal dysfunctions as a risk factor for sleep disorders in children with idiopathic autism spectrum disorder: A retrospective cohort study

Autism ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 1010-1020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lena M McCue ◽  
Louise H Flick ◽  
Kimberly A Twyman ◽  
Hong Xian
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Sleep Disorders ◽  
Sleep Disorder ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder

Sleep disorders often co-occur with autism spectrum disorder. They further exacerbate autism spectrum disorder symptoms and interfere with children’s and parental quality of life. This study examines whether gastrointestinal dysfunctions increase the odds of having sleep disorders in 610 children with idiopathic autism spectrum disorder, aged 2–18 years, from the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange research program. The adjusted odds ratio for sleep disorder among those with gastrointestinal dysfunctions compared to those without was 1.74 (95% confidence interval: 1.22–2.48). In addition, the odds of having multiple sleep disorder symptoms among children with gastrointestinal dysfunctions, adjusted for age, gender, behavioral problems, bed wetting, current and past supplements, and current and past medications for autism spectrum disorder symptoms were 1.75 (95% confidence interval: 1.10–2.79) compared to children without gastrointestinal dysfunctions. Early detection and treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunctions in autism spectrum disorder may be means to reduce prevalence and severity of sleep problems and improve quality of life and developmental outcomes in this population.

Individual characteristics of students with autism spectrum disorders and school refusal behavior

Autism ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 413-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen Kathrine Munkhaugen ◽  
Tonje Torske ◽  
Elen Gjevik ◽  
Terje Nærland ◽  
Are Hugo Pripp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
School Refusal ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Emotional And Behavioral Problems ◽  
School Refusal Behavior ◽  
Students With Autism

This study compared social, executive, emotional, and behavioral characteristics of students with autism spectrum disorder who did and did not display school refusal behavior. The participants were 62 students with autism spectrum disorder without intellectual disability aged 9–16 years attending inclusive schools. Parents first completed questionnaires assessing social and executive functioning as well as emotional and behavioral problems. They then documented their child’s school refusal behavior for a period of 20 days. Compared to students without school refusal behavior (n = 29), students with school refusal behavior (n = 33) were significantly less socially motivated; displayed more deficits in initiating tasks or activities, in generating ideas, responses, or problem-solving strategies; and displayed more withdrawn and depressive symptoms. Assessing social and executive functioning, as well as emotional problems, may help professionals provide tailored interventions for students with autism spectrum disorder and school refusal behavior, which will further be valuable in recognizing characteristics associated with school refusal behavior.

scholarly journals The symptoms of autism including social communication deficits and repetitive and restricted behaviors are associated with different emotional and behavioral problems

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching-Hong Tsai ◽  
Kuan-Lin Chen ◽  
Hsing-Jung Li ◽  
Kuan-Hsu Chen ◽  
Chao-Wei Hsu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Emotional And Behavioral Problems ◽  
Emotional Symptoms ◽  
Association Patterns ◽  
Different Types

AbstractThe aim of the study was to investigate the associations between symptoms of autism and emotional and behavioral problems in children with autism spectrum disorder from both caregivers’ and clinicians’ perspectives. Three main findings were found in our study. First, the association patterns were similar in the preschool and school-aged children. Second, different association patterns were found from caregivers’ and professionals’ perspectives. From the professionals’ perspective, only repetitive behaviors were associated with behavioral problems, while from the caregivers’ perspective, all symptoms of autism were associated with emotional and behavioral problems. Third, different types of symptoms of autism were associated with different types of emotional and behavioral problems. For example, from the professionals’ perspective, restricted and repetitive behaviors were only associated with hyperactivity and inattention. From the caregivers’ perspective, social emotion was associated with emotional symptoms, and other symptoms of autism were associated with hyperactivity and inattention, as well as with peer problems. The results of our study provided deeper understanding of the relationships between symptoms of autism and emotional and behavioral problems, and the findings could serve as a reference for intervention planning when clinicians approach children with autism spectrum disorder.

Diagnostic- and sex-based differences in depression symptoms in autistic and neurotypical early adolescents

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132110258
Author(s):  
Jessica M Schwartzman ◽  
Zachary J Williams ◽  
Blythe A Corbett
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Depressive Symptom ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Early Adolescents ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis ◽  
Depressive Symptom Severity

Prevalence rates of depression are higher in autistic youth than neurotypical peers, yet the effects of autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and sex on depressive symptom severity remain incompletely understood, particularly in specific age groups. Using the Children’s Depression Inventory, Second Edition, this study explored diagnostic- and sex-based differences in depressive symptom severity in a sample of 212 autistic and neurotypical early adolescents (10:0–13:5 years). Significant group differences were found according to autism spectrum disorder diagnosis [ d = 0.587, 95% confidence interval (0.308, 0.867)] and sex [ d = 0.365, 95% confidence interval (0.089, 0.641)], with more depressive symptoms endorsed in the autism spectrum disorder and female groups. However, the interaction of diagnosis and sex was not significant, suggesting an additive risk of autism spectrum disorder status and female sex. Item-level analyses showed diagnostic differences on nearly half of the CDI-2 items with higher severity in the autism spectrum disorder group (Probability of Superiority range = 0.42–0.65), differences within the sexes, and differences by diagnosis, which persisted when limiting analyses to children with high levels of depressive symptoms. A more nuanced understanding of symptom endorsement and the roles of diagnosis and sex may uncover salient intervention targets for depression in the unique context of autism spectrum disorder. Lay abstract Depression is more common in autistic adolescents than their neurotypical peers, but the effects of diagnosis and sex on the severity and types of depressive symptoms remain unclear. The study explored diagnostic- and sex-based differences in depressive symptoms in 212 autistic and neurotypical early adolescents. Results show that autism spectrum disorder and female may pose elevated risks, and depressive symptoms related to interpersonal problems and negative self-esteem are more frequent in autism spectrum disorder. Autistic males and females endorsed similar severity and type of depressive symptoms, but unique differences emerged when compared to sex-matched neurotypical peers. Exploratory analyses in a clinical subsample of early adolescents with elevated depressive symptoms (Children’s Depression Inventory, Second Edition, Total T-score ⩾60) revealed more endorsement of beliefs of worthlessness in autistic early adolescents. Findings suggest initial intervention targets for treating depression in autistic early adolescents.

Discrepancy in perceived social support among typically developing siblings of youth with autism spectrum disorder

Autism ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 594-606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theodore S Tomeny ◽  
James A Rankin ◽  
Lorien K Baker ◽  
Sophia W Eldred ◽  
Tammy D Barry
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Polynomial Regression ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Emotional And Behavioral Problems ◽  
Behavioral Difficulties ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Typically Developing Siblings

Social support can buffer against stressors often associated with having family members with autism spectrum disorder. This study included 112 parents and typically developing siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder. Relations between self-reported typically developing sibling emotional and behavioral problems and discrepancy between social support frequency and importance were examined via polynomial regression with response surface analysis. Typically developing siblings who described social support as frequent and important reported relatively few problems. Typically developing siblings who reported social support as highly important but infrequent exhibited the highest emotional and behavioral difficulties. Thus, typically developing siblings with little support who view support as highly important may be particularly responsive to social support improvement efforts.

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