AUTHORS: Čelárová, D., Celušáková, H., Szapuová, Ž. and Ostatníková, D.
ABSTRACT: Autism spectrum disorders are more common in males than females. Cause of this ratio is unknown and has been ascribed to hormonal (extreme male brain theory) or genetic (female protective model) etiology. One of the plausible explanations is the ability of girls to better hide and compensate deficits, so they avoid assessment process. In our study, we would like to identify the specifics in behavioral symptoms of autism spectrum disorders in girls in comparison to boys measured by gold standard method ADOS-2. Comparison of behavioral symptoms measured by Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – 2 (ADOS-2) in 60 children with autism (30 male and 30 female) at age 4,1 years (SD=1,7). We observed core deficits associated with autism spectrum disorders in a sample of 60 children. Our results suggest that behavioral symptoms in girls with autism show different patterns in comparison with boys, especially in the areas of speech intonation, joint attention, and sensory hypersensitivity. Different manifestation of symptoms in autistic girls makes the assessment process difficult, and thus delaying effective therapeutical intervention. Therefore, it is very important for professionals to be aware of such differences.
ŠTÚDIE ZO ŠPECIÁLNEJ PEDAGOGIKY/STUDIES IN SPECIAL EDUCATION. Ročník 9, 2020, č. 1. ISSN 2585-7363