Evaluation of sex differences in preschool children with and without autism spectrum disorder enrolled in the study to explore early development.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Research in school-aged children, adolescents, and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has found sex-based differences in behavioral, developmental, and diagnostic outcomes. These findings have not been consistently replicated in preschool-aged children. We examined sex-based differences in a large sample of 2-5-year-old children with ASD symptoms in a multi-site community-based study.

Methods and procedures

Based on a comprehensive evaluation, children were classified as having ASD (n = 1480, 81.55 % male) or subthreshold ASD characteristics (n = 593, 70.15 % male). Outcomes were behavior problems, developmental abilities, performance on ASD screening and diagnostic tests, and parent-reported developmental conditions diagnosed before study enrollm

SUBMITTER: Wiggins LD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8215620 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature