Elsevier

Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Volume 5, Issue 3, July–September 2011, Pages 1086-1091
Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Psychiatric symptoms in children diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder: An examination of gender differences

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2010.12.002Get rights and content

Abstract

In addition to the triad of impairments experienced by children and adolescents diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), they often present with symptoms of psychiatric disorders. To date, very few studies have examined gender differences in regards to psychiatric symptoms in children and adolescents diagnosed with an ASD. Thus, the current study compared male and female children and adolescents (n = 129) who were diagnosed with an ASD or who were typically developing psychiatric symptoms. The Autism Spectrum Disorders-Comorbid for Children (ASD-CC) was utilized to assess for symptoms of psychopathology. Males and females diagnosed with an ASD did not significantly differ from each other in total psychiatric symptoms or on any of the specific factors of psychiatric symptoms examined (i.e., tantrum behavior, repetitive behavior, worry/depressed, avoidant behavior, under-eating, conduct, and over-eating). Similarly, males and females who were typically developing did not differ from each other on any factors examined. A discussion including future directions of research is included.

Research highlights

▶ Looking at differences between autistic males and females is important. ▶ Comorbid psychopathology is a growing area of study. ▶ While differences in specific disorders such as phobias have been found in previous studies, differences in general psychopathology across gender were not found here.

Section snippets

Participants

One hundred and twenty-nine children and adolescents were recruited for the study via community organizations, schools, and outpatient clinics throughout the United States. Participants ranged in age from 4 to 16 years (M = 8.34; SD = 3.09). Table 1 includes demographic information on the participants. Individuals studied had an IQ greater than 70; therefore, indicating that no individual diagnosed with an intellectual disability (ID) was included. Out of the 129 participants selected for

Results

The variances of the two groups was significantly different, F(3, 117) = 24.73, p < .001. Therefore, correctional formulas were used to compare the mean symptom endorsements for males and females with and without ASD. The main effect of group was significant, F(3, 117) = 38.81, p < .001. Games–Howell post hoc test was utilized to follow-up the significant main effect as equal variances were not assumed. Post hoc analyses showed that both males (M = 22.34) and females (M = 25.50) with ASD scored

Discussion

ASD has been a highly studied topic (Matson et al., 2009b, Matson et al., 2007, Matson and Rivet, 2008, Matson et al., 2008b). Despite this, few researchers have examined gender differences within ASD. Studies that have been conducted primarily focused on detecting gender differences in the core features of ASD itself (Lord et al., 1982, McLennan et al., 1993, Nicholas et al., 2008). The aim of the current study was to determine if males and females with ASD significantly differed in rates of

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