Journal Article

Sex- and age-related differences in autistic behaviours in children with neurofibromatosis type 1

Chisholm, Anita K, Maier, Alice, Pride, Natalie A, Maloof, Tiba, Walsh, Karin S, Darke, Hayley, Haebich, Kristina M, Lami, Francesca, Ure, Alex, Williams, Katrina, Brignell, Amanda, Fuelscher, Ian, Payne, Jonathan M, Granader, Yael, North, Kathryn N, Anderson, Vicki A, Dabscheck, Gabriel, Barton, Belinda, Rouel, Melissa

2023

Overview

This study investigated sex and age differences in autistic behaviours in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) who scored within the clinical range on the Social Responsiveness Scale - Second Edition (T score ≥ 60). Thirty-four males and 28 females (3–16 years) were assessed with the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule - Second Edition and Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised. Across both measures, males exhibited greater social communication deficits relative to females. Age-related abatement of social communication difficulties was observed for males but not females. Conversely, no sex differences were found for restricted/repetitive behaviours, which were stable over time for both males and females. The findings are discussed within the context of broader neurodevelopmental considerations that are common in NF1.

• Publisher: Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Age / Age differences / Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder / Autism / Autism Spectrum Disorders / Behavior / Behavior Problems / Children / Clinical Diagnosis / Communication / Communication disorders / Communication Skills / Comorbidity / Evidence / Females / Gender differences / Genetic disorders / Intelligence Quotient / Language Impairments / Males / Meta Analysis / Neurofibromatosis / Neurological disorders / Observation / Recklinghausen's disease / Repetitive behaviour / Responsiveness / Sex differences / Tumors