Behaviors relevant to autism are more frequently observed in boys than in girls, because of naturally occurring sexual difference in characteristic of all children, claims new research.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties and restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior.
Dietary Supplements, Other Special Diets Not Always Helpful for Children With Autism
As such children are picky eaters, sometimes parents of children with Autism try nutritional supplements and special diets without professional supervision.
Advertisement
"The results imply that there may be an over representation of boys with autism, based on sex differences that affect all children," said principal investigator of the study Daniel Messinger, Professor of psychology at University of Miami in the US.
The study followed a large sample of boys and girls at high-risk for the disorder and other children at low risk beginning before 18 months of age.
![Indianapolis-based Health Insurance Company Denies Coverage for Autism Therapy]( "Indianapolis-based Health Insurance Company Denies Coverage for Autism Therapy")
Federal law requires insurers to cover mental health services to the same extent that they cover services for physical health needs.
One in four high-risk boys were identified with the disorder at three years, compared to one in 10 high-risk girls.
The researchers examined how this difference in male-to-female risk of autism spectrum disorder emerged. They found that boys with ASD had higher levels of a particular autism symptom (stereotyped behaviors) than girls. The boys with ASD generally had less advanced cognitive and language functioning than the girls.
However, the sex differences in stereotyped behaviors and cognitive functioning were also present in children without ASD.
"We found that girls look a little better than boys in almost every area," Messinger said. "Children with ASD show typical differences between boys and girls, even though - by virtue of having ASD - they clearly have higher symptoms and cognitive difficulties. Our results are important because they show that naturally occurring sex differences characteristic of all children are behind the sex differences we see in autism," he added.
The study was published in the journal Molecular Autism.
Source: IANS
Indianapolis-based Health Insurance Company Denies Coverage for Autism Therapy
Federal law requires insurers to cover mental health services to the same extent that they cover services for physical health needs.
Advertisement
One in four high-risk boys were identified with the disorder at three years, compared to one in 10 high-risk girls.
The researchers examined how this difference in male-to-female risk of autism spectrum disorder emerged. They found that boys with ASD had higher levels of a particular autism symptom (stereotyped behaviors) than girls. The boys with ASD generally had less advanced cognitive and language functioning than the girls.
However, the sex differences in stereotyped behaviors and cognitive functioning were also present in children without ASD.
"We found that girls look a little better than boys in almost every area," Messinger said. "Children with ASD show typical differences between boys and girls, even though - by virtue of having ASD - they clearly have higher symptoms and cognitive difficulties. Our results are important because they show that naturally occurring sex differences characteristic of all children are behind the sex differences we see in autism," he added.
The study was published in the journal Molecular Autism.
Source: IANS
Oregon Mother Threatens Suit After Her Daughter With Autism Gets Kicked Off Flight
The issue started when she asked a flight attendant if she could purchase a hot meal for her 15-year-old daughter with autism, who will not eat cold food.
Advertisement
 Air Pollution May Increase Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder in ChildrenMother's age, education and smoking during pregnancy are also some of the factors associated with the child's risk of developing autism spectrum disorder. | Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Readings
Latest Research News
Memory deficits in individuals with epilepsy, especially cognitive difficulties, might partially stem from the transient impairments caused by these slow waves.
High altitude training exhibits potential benefits for pre-surgery patients, enhancing readiness, stated a new study.
The AI method shows promise in identifying imaging biomarkers for diagnosing ADHD.
Diagnosed autistic individuals showed increased premature mortality in the UK, highlighting urgent needs to address associated inequalities.
Study reveals a correlation between hearing impairment and distinct brain region variances, contributing to dementia.