Autism Spectrum Disorders: Complexities associated with sex-differences, screening and diagnosis

Abstract

The present doctoral thesis examines screening and sex differences in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and how behavioral, developmental and temperamental features of males and females affect early identification of the disorder. The present doctoral thesis found marked sex differences across all three studies, and furthermore found evidence of difficulties at identifying all children with an ASD screening instrument at 18 months. The paper emphasise that sex differences in ASD might further complicate screening and diagnostic processes.