Identifier
etd-06242010-205201
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Psychology
Document Type
Dissertation
Abstract
A preponderance of males with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has been evident since the initial writings on the topic. This male predominance has consistently emerged in all ASD research to date in epidemiological as well as clinical populations. Despite this long recognized gender disparity in ASD, surprisingly there is a paucity of research addressing gender as it relates to core ASD symptom presentation. Gender differences may manifest with regard to symptom domains, severity, breadth, and so forth. The present research examined gender differences in ASD symptomatology in three populations: infants and toddlers at risk for developmental disability, children and adolescents, and adults with intellectual disability (ID). No significant gender differences in ASD symptoms were found in the infant/toddler or child/adolescent populations. In the adult population, in participants with ID alone, females had higher endorsements of social (i.e., participation in social games, sports, and activities; interest in other’s side of the conversation; and imitation) and communication (i.e., interest in other's side of the conversation and reading body language) impairments compared to males. This study has considerable implications in both the clinical and research realms regarding identification and intervention issues for females with ASD, as well as stimulating a future research agenda in this area.
Date
2010
Document Availability at the Time of Submission
Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.
Recommended Citation
Rivet, Tessa Taylor, "Gender differences in core symptomatology in autism spectrum disorders across the lifespan" (2010). LSU Doctoral Dissertations. 2273.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/2273
Committee Chair
Matson, Johnny L.
DOI
10.31390/gradschool_dissertations.2273