Physical health of autistic girls and women: a scoping review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

There is a growing recognition of sex and gender influences in autism. Increasingly, studies include comparisons between sexes or genders, but few have focused on clarifying the characteristics of autistic girls'/women's physical health.

Methods

A scoping review was conducted to determine what is currently known about the physical health of autistic girls/women. We screened 1112 unique articles, with 40 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. We used a convergent iterative process to synthesize this content into broad thematic areas.

Results

Autistic girls/women experience more overall physical health challenges compared to non-autistic girls/women and to autistic boys/men. Emerging evidence suggests increased prevalence of epilepsy in autistic girls/women

SUBMITTER: Kassee C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7590704 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature