Brief Report: Sex Differences in Parental Concerns for Toddlers with Autism Risk.

Brief Report: Sex Differences in Parental Concerns for Toddlers with Autism Risk.
J Autism Dev Disord. 2018 Apr 26;:
Authors: Ramsey RK, Nichols L, Ludwig NN, Fein D, Adamson LB, Robins DL
Abstract
Research on sex differences in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suggests both higher prevalence and a more easily observable presentation of core ASD symptomology in males, which may lead to sex differences in parental concerns. The current study examined whether sex and diagnosis relate to the timing, number, and types of pre-diagnosis concerns for 669 (Nmale = 468) toddlers who screened at risk for ASD. No sex differences in parents' concerns emerged for toddlers diagnosed with ASD; however, in the overall at-risk sample, parents of boys endorsed ASD symptoms, including restricted and repetitive behaviors, more than parents of girls. Future research should examine why sex differences in pre-diagnosis concerns emerge and how they might impact early diagnosis for at-risk boys versus girls.
PMID: 29700708 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - April 26, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Ramsey RK, Nichols L, Ludwig NN, Fein D, Adamson LB, Robins DL Tags: J Autism Dev Disord Source Type: research