The clinician perspective on sex differences in autism spectrum disorders

Autism ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 772-784 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rene Jamison ◽  
Somer L Bishop ◽  
Marisela Huerta ◽  
Alycia K Halladay
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
School Age ◽  
Symptom Presentation ◽  
Females With Autism ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Research studies using existing samples of individuals with autism spectrum disorders have identified differences in symptoms between males and females. Differences are typically reported in school age and adolescence, with similarities in symptom presentation at earlier ages. However, existing studies on sex differences are significantly limited, making it challenging to discern if, how, and at what point in development females with autism spectrum disorder actually exhibit a different behavioral presentation than males. The purpose of this study was to gather impressions from a large group of clinicians to isolate specific areas for future study of sex differences. Clinicians were surveyed about their opinions and perceptions of symptom severity in females, as compared to males, at different points during development. They were also asked to provide open-ended responses about female symptom presentation. Consistent with previous literature, clinicians noted more sex-related differences in restricted and repetitive behaviors and fewer differences for social communication features. Differences were most commonly observed in school age and adolescence, suggesting this time period as a critical and particularly vulnerable window for females with autism spectrum disorder. The results are discussed in the context of other male/female differences across development so that more targeted investigations of autism spectrum disorder sex differences across development.

scholarly journals Eye contact in a month in a toddler with autism spectrum disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-79
Author(s):  
Ishani Mehta ◽  
Priyal Shah ◽  
Santosh Kondekar ◽  
Bharatkumar Mahale
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Nonverbal Communication ◽  
Pharmacological Treatment ◽  
Eye Contact ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Autism is characterized by deficits in verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. There is a lack of data available regarding pharmacological treatment in autism spectrum disorders.

Sex differences in co-occurring conditions of children with autism spectrum disorders

Autism ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 965-974 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria E Stacy ◽  
Benjamin Zablotsky ◽  
Heather A Yarger ◽  
Andrew Zimmerman ◽  
Barraw Makia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Learning Disability ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Learning Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
A Current

This study investigated differences in co-occurring diagnoses made in females compared to males with autism spectrum disorders in 913 children (746 males and 167 females) living in the United States with a current autism spectrum disorder diagnosis identified via caregiver-reported data from the National Survey of Children’s Health 2007. The results indicated that overall, females had significantly fewer reported autism spectrum disorder co-occurring conditions than males. Females, compared to males, with a current autism spectrum disorder diagnosis had lower rates of past learning disorder, current mild learning disorder, and past anxiety diagnoses. Females with a current autism spectrum disorder diagnosis were more likely than males to have been diagnosed with a speech problem in the past, while males with a current autism spectrum disorder diagnosis were more likely than females to have a current diagnosis of a mild learning disability and a past diagnosis of learning disability. In addition, males with a current autism spectrum disorder diagnosis were more likely than females to have two or more co-occurring diagnoses. These findings provide insight into trends in sex differences in autism spectrum disorder co-occurring conditions.

scholarly journals Educational Competence in the Inclusion of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Early and Pre-school Education Institution

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esmeralda Sunko ◽  
Edita Rogulj ◽  
Ana Živković
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
School Education ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

The paper focuses on the analysis of the conditions for inclusion of children with autism spectrum disorders in early and pre-school education by kindergartens teacher. The conditions relate to estimates of theoretical knowledge and attitudes of the educator, assessment of abilities and limitations of children with autism spectrum disorders, self-assessment of the competences of educators for their upbringing and education and assessment of other conditions for the inclusion of children with autism spectrum disorders. The survey results were analyzed by a questionnaire of 68 educators from 6 kindergartens in town of Split. There is a central level of knowledge about inclusion and low self-assessment of educators about their competence in which they are active participants in the inclusion of children with a disorder of the autism spectrum. Attractive factors for the implementation of inclusive education of children with autism spectrum disorder evaluated: inconsistent assurance of nursery assistants, lack of competent educators, and insufficient co-operation with parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. The analysis points to the lack of systematic education of educators for inclusive educational practice. The authors exclude the importance of the knowledge and skills of educators in the area of ​​information communication technology, particularly augmentative and alternative communication.Key words: children with autistic spectrum disorder; information communication technology; competence of the educator; Educational and Teaching Inclusion

scholarly journals Hyperacusis in Autism Spectrum Disorders

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 547-556
Author(s):  
Ali A. Danesh ◽  
Stephanie Howery ◽  
Hashir Aazh ◽  
Wafaa Kaf ◽  
Adrien A. Eshraghi
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Assessment And Treatment ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
The Relationship

Hyperacusis is highly prevalent in the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) population. This auditory hypersensitivity can trigger pragmatically atypical reactions that may impact social and academic domains. Objective: The aim of this report is to describe the relationship between decreased sound tolerance disorders and the ASD population. Topics covered: The main topics discussed include (1) assessment and prevalence of hyperacusis in ASD; (2) etiology of hyperacusis in ASD; (3) treatment of hyperacusis in ASD. Conclusions: Knowledge of the assessment and treatment of decreased sound tolerance disorders within the ASD population is growing and changing.

scholarly journals Sex differences in brain structure: An autism twin study on restricted and repetitive behaviors

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annelies van’t Westeinde ◽  
Élodie Cauvet ◽  
Roberto Toro ◽  
Ralf Kuja-Halkola ◽  
Janina Neufeld ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Brain Anatomy ◽  
Social Responsiveness ◽  
Autism Symptoms ◽  
Twin Design ◽  
Restricted And Repetitive Behaviors

AbstractFemales with autism spectrum disorder have been reported to exhibit fewer and less severe restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests compared to males. This difference might indicate sex specific alterations of brain networks involved in autism symptom domains, especially within cortico-striatal and sensory integration networks. This study used a well-controlled twin design to examine sex differences in brain anatomy in relation to repetitive behaviors. In 75 twin pairs (n=150, 62 females, 88 males) enriched for autism spectrum disorder (n=32), and other neurodevelopmental disorders (n =32), we explored the association of restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests – operationalized by the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (C domain) and the Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (Restricted Interests and Repetitive Behavior subscale), with cortical volume, surface area and thickness of neocortical, sub-cortical and cerebellar networks. Cotwin control analyses revealed within-pair associations between RRBI symptoms and the right intraparietal sulcus and right orbital gyrus in females only. These findings endorse the importance of investigating sex differences in the neurobiology of autism symptoms, and indicate different etiological pathways underlying restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests in females and males.

scholarly journals Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adolescents with Complex Clinical Presentations: A Montreal Case Series

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-43
Author(s):  
Nicolas Garel ◽  
Patricia Garel
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Deficits ◽  
High Functioning ◽  
Intellectual Abilities ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Background: Despite increased attention and recognition of autism spectrum disorders, many patients suffering from these disorders remain undiagnosed or are diagnosed late due to their subtle clinical presentation. The challenge for clinicians working in the field of mental health is not in screening and diagnosing young children showing typical signs of autism spectrum disorders, but rather in identifying patients at the high-functioning end of the spectrum whose intellectual abilities mask their social deficits. Objective: Because therapeutic interventions differ radically once the diagnosis of ASD has been made, it is important to understand the trajectory of those adolescents and identify clues that could help raise the diagnosis of ASD earlier. Methods: Records of eight adolescents with a late diagnosis of ASD were retrospectively reviewed to identify relevant clinical features that were overlooked in childhood and early adolescence. Results: The patients were previously misdiagnosed with multiple mental health disorders. These cases showed striking similarities in terms of developmental history, reasons for misdiagnosis, and the clinical picture at the time of ASD recognition. The cases were characterized by complex and fluctuating symptomatology, including depression, anxiety, behavioural problems, self-injurious behaviour and suicidal thoughts. Their Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) went previously undiagnosed due to the individual’s intelligence and learning abilities, which masked their social deficits and developmental irregularities. Signs of ASD were continuously present since childhood in all the eight cases. Once the developmental histories and the psychiatric evaluation of these adolescents were done by psychiatrists with appropriate knowledge of autism, the diagnosis of ASD was made. Conclusion: The ASD hypothesis should be raised in the presence of confusing symptoms that do not respond to usual treatment and are accompanied by an irregular developmental background. It is indeed a difficult diagnosis to make; however, the focused clinician can note subtle signs of ASD despite the intellectual learning of social codes. Family history, developmental irregularities, rigidity, difficulty in spontaneously understanding emotions, discomfort in groups and the need to be alone are significant indicators to recognize. Once the diagnosis has been considered, it must be confirmed or rejected by an experienced multidisciplinary team. The challenge for clinicians working in the field of mental health is not in screening and diagnosing young children showing typical signs of ASD, but rather in identifying patients who are at high-functioning end of the spectrum whose intellectual abilities mask their social deficits.

Assisted reproductive technology has no association with autism spectrum disorders: The Taiwan Birth Cohort Study

Autism ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 377-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
For-Wey Lung ◽  
Tung-Liang Chiang ◽  
Shio-Jean Lin ◽  
Meng-Chih Lee ◽  
Bih-Ching Shu
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Propensity Score ◽  
Propensity Score Matching ◽  
Birth Cohort ◽  
Assisted Reproduction ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Assisted Reproduction Technology ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

The use of assisted reproduction technology has increased over the last two decades. Autism spectrum disorders and assisted reproduction technology share many risk factors. However, previous studies on the association between autism spectrum disorders and assisted reproduction technology have shown inconsistent results. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between assisted reproduction technology and autism spectrum disorder diagnosis in a national birth cohort database. Furthermore, the results from the assisted reproduction technology and autism spectrum disorder propensity score matching exact matched datasets were compared. For this study, the 6- and 66-month Taiwan Birth Cohort Study datasets were used (N = 20,095). In all, 744 families were propensity score matching exact matched and selected as the assisted reproduction technology sample (ratio of assisted reproduction technology to controls: 1:2) and 415 families as the autism spectrum disorder sample (ratio of autism spectrum disorder to controls: 1:4). Using a national birth cohort dataset, controlling for the confounding factors of assisted reproduction technology conception and autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, both assisted reproduction technology and autism spectrum disorder propensity score matching matched datasets showed the same results of no association between assisted reproduction technology and autism spectrum disorder. Further study on the detailed information regarding the processes and methods of assisted reproduction technology may provide us with more information on the association between assisted reproduction technology and autism spectrum disorder.

scholarly journals Autism and Williams syndrome: Dissimilar socio-cognitive profiles with similar patterns of abnormal gene expression in the blood

Autism ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 136236132096507
Author(s):  
Amy Niego ◽  
Antonio Benítez-Burraco
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Williams Syndrome ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Domain ◽  
Cognitive Profiles ◽  
The Social ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
And Function

Autism spectrum disorders and Williams syndrome exhibit quite opposite features in the social domain, but also share some common underlying behavioral and cognitive deficits. It is not clear, however, which genes account for the attested differences (and similarities) in the socio-cognitive domain. In this article, we adopted a comparative molecular approach and looked for genes that might be differentially (or similarly) regulated in the blood of subjects with these two conditions. We found a significant overlap between differentially expressed genes compared to neurotypical controls, with most of them exhibiting a similar trend in both conditions, but with genes being more dysregulated in Williams syndrome than in autism spectrum disorders. These genes are involved in aspects of brain development and function (particularly dendritogenesis) and are expressed in brain areas (particularly the cerebellum, the thalamus, and the striatum) of relevance for the autism spectrum disorder and the Williams syndrome etiopathogenesis. Lay abstract Autism spectrum disorders and Williams syndrome are complex cognitive conditions exhibiting quite opposite features in the social domain: whereas people with autism spectrum disorders are mostly hyposocial, subjects with Williams syndrome are usually reported as hypersocial. At the same time, autism spectrum disorders and Williams syndrome share some common underlying behavioral and cognitive deficits. It is not clear, however, which genes account for the attested differences (and similarities) in the socio-cognitive domain. In this article, we adopted a comparative molecular approach and looked for genes that might be differentially (or similarly) regulated in the blood of people with these conditions. We found a significant overlap between genes dysregulated in the blood of patients compared to neurotypical controls, with most of them being upregulated or, in some cases, downregulated. Still, genes with similar expression trends can exhibit quantitative differences between conditions, with most of them being more dysregulated in Williams syndrome than in autism spectrum disorders. Differentially expressed genes are involved in aspects of brain development and function (particularly dendritogenesis) and are expressed in brain areas (particularly the cerebellum, the thalamus, and the striatum) of relevance for the autism spectrum disorder and the Williams syndrome etiopathogenesis. Overall, these genes emerge as promising candidates for the similarities and differences between the autism spectrum disorder and the Williams syndrome socio-cognitive profiles.

Correlations Between the Parents’ ADHD Score and the Child's ADOS Score in Parents of Children with Comorbid ADHD–Autism Spectrum Disorder

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S221-S221
Author(s):  
F. Rad ◽  
L. Kobylinska ◽  
I. Mihailescu ◽  
A. Buica ◽  
I. Dobrescu
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Adult Adhd ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

From assortative mating theory to genetic background, several ethipathogenic hypotheses in ASD deal with the traits of parents.Backgroundseveral ethipathogenic hypotheses in ASD deal with the traits of parents. The objectives of our study were to measure the ADHD and autism spectrum disorder quotients in parents of children diagnosed with ASD comorbid with ADHD and to correlate the measurements for the tests in parents with those in their children. The specific aim was to identify whether any significant correlations exist.MethodFifty-two pairs of parents of children with autism spectrum disorders and ADHD were included in this study, based on informed consent and the ethical committee's approval. The child's diagnosis was established by a specialist in child and adolescent psychiatry, based on the child's clinical symptoms and on specific diagnostic scales, such as the ADOS and ADHD-rating scale. The parents completed an Autism Spectrum Quotient Scale (ASQS) and an adult ADHD scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 and Excel. The correlations were verified using Spearman's non-parametric correlation test.ResultsThere was a strong correlation between the parents’ ADHD scores (r = 0.5, P < 0.001), and a reverse medium correlation between the mother's ADHD score and the child's ADOS score (r = –0.32, P = 0.02). The father's ASQS and ADHD scores correlated between each other (r = 0.31, P = 0.02). There were no correlations between the parents’ and the child's ADHD score, nor between the child's ADOS score and the parents’ ASQS scores.ConclusionOur results suggest that ADHD symptoms in parents of children with autism spectrum disorders comorbid with ADHD might be predictors for the child's prognosis.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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