US EditionNo Early Sex Differences Found in Autism Traits Among Toddlers
- A 2025 study led by scientists at the University of California, San Diego, found no notable clinical differences in autism traits between male and female toddlers aged 12 to 48 months at the time of their initial diagnosis.
- The study assessed over 2,500 toddlers, including 1,500 autistic children, to clarify conflicting evidence from previous smaller studies on sex differences in autism.
- Researchers identified robust autism subtypes based on ability levels rather than sex, noting females scored only slightly higher on daily living skills like dressing and feeding.
- Senior author Karen Pierce said previous sex difference reports might be errors caused by small sample sizes or methodological issues, and emphasized the importance of early language improvement.
- The findings suggest sex differences may emerge later due to psychosocial or biological factors, highlighting implications for early autism detection and tailored interventions.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Large-scale examination of early-age sex differences in neurotypical toddlers and those with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental conditions
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is clinically heterogeneous, with ongoing debates about phenotypic differences between boys and girls. Understanding these differences, particularly at the age of first symptom onset, is critical for advancing early detection, uncovering aetiological mechanisms and improving interventions. Leveraging the Get SET Early programme, we analysed a cohort of 2,618 toddlers (mean age: ~27 months) through cross-sectional, …
No early sex differences found in autism traits among toddlers
Males are more than four times more likely to receive an autism diagnosis than females. But a new study by researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine has found no clinical differences in autistic traits between the sexes in toddlers when they are first diagnosed with autism.
No sex differences in autistic toddlers at time of first diagnosis, study finds
Males are more than four times more likely to receive an autism diagnosis than females. But a new study by researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine has found no clinical differences in autistic traits between the sexes in toddlers when they are first diagnosed with autism.
Gender doesn’t impact autistic traits among toddlers, study finds
The finding comes from new research from a team at the UC San Diego School of Medicine. It is a well-known fact that men are more likely to receive an autism diagnosis than women. Currently, the concrete reason as to why remains unknown, however new research from a team at the UC San Diego School of Medicine suggests gender may have nothing to do with the matter. Especially among toddlers. The research, which was published in the online journal …
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