A-269 Sex Differences in the Behavioral Profile of Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Abstract Objective: Literature suggests discrepant prevalence rates between males and females with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be due to sex-specific ASD phenotypes. This study sought to identify sex-specific behavioral profiles for adolescents with ASD, as measured by the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2). Sex differences in intellectual ability for individuals with ASD were also examined. Method: A sample of adolescents with ASD across the United States was retrieved from the National Database for Autism Research (NDAR) (N=80, 65 males, 15 females; M age=12.17 years, SD=.97). Participants were included within the age parameters (11 years, zero months to 16 years, 11 months) with data on Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V) and ADOS-2. The study was a cross-sectional design analyzing the relationship between biological sex and intellectual abilities, overall autism severity, and deficits within social affect and repetitive and restricted behaviors and interests (RRBIs). Results: Significant sex differences were found in total severity of ASD after controlling for IQ, F(1,77)=4.59, p=.04. Adjusted marginal means demonstrated that males have higher ADOS total scores [M =13.37; 95% CI (12.47,14.34)] than females [M=11.13; 95% CI (9.33,12.98)]. No sex differences were found within the domain of intellectual ability, t(78)=.34, p= .738, or across the linear combination of the dependent variables of social affect and RRBIs, F(2,76)=2.95, p=.058. Conclusions: This study provides further evidence that males are diagnosed with ASD at higher rates than females and suggests males present with more severe ASD pathology than females on the ADOS-2. Additional analyses are required to understand the full extent of clinical implications.