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

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 [greater than or equal to] 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.
Author(s): Anita K. Chisholm [sup.1] [sup.2] [sup.3] , Francesca Lami [sup.1] [sup.2] , Kristina M. Haebich [sup.1] [sup.2] , Alex Ure [sup.1] [sup.6] [sup.7] , Amanda Brignell [sup.1] [sup.6] , [...]