BookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxFilledCheckBoxCircleBumpCheckedFilledMedical

Study Confirms Autism Develops Differently in Girls Than Boys

According to the study, much of the research on the development of ASD has been focused on boys, but the conclusions drawn for boys may not hold true for girls.
save article
profile picture of Nehal Aggarwal
By Nehal Aggarwal, Editor
Published April 20, 2021
Little girl counting colorful crayons.
Image: Kinzie Riehm / Getty Images

Experts have long believed that the development of autism differs in boys and girls, but one study is now confirming the claim, attributing the differences in development to differences in genes.

The study, which was published in the scientific journal Brain, looked at brain imaging technology in combination with genetic research to better understand ASD’s effects in girls. According to the researchers, the effects in girls have been less researched due to the fact that an ASD diagnosis is four times more common in boys.

They used functional magnetic-resonance imaging (fMRI), to look at brain activity during social interactions, tracking things like facial expressions and gestures. They found that girls with autism used different parts of their brains than girls without autism. More surprisingly, the difference between girls with and without autism was not the same as the difference between boys with and without autism. The findings indicate that the different brain mechanisms involved in autism may be based on a person’s biological sex.

The researchers also found that the genetic contributors between the two sexes were very different. Girls had more rare variants of genes active during the early development of the striatum, a region of the brain that plays a role in regulating motor behaviors, interpreting social interaction, reward perception and more. They believed that the effects on the striatum may play a role in ASD risk for girls.

“The convergence of the brain imaging and genetic data provides us with an important new insight into the causes of autism in girls,” Kevin Pelphrey, PhD, an autism expert at the University of Virginia School of Medicine and UVA’s Brain Institute and lead author of the study, said in a press release. “We hope that by working with our colleagues in UVA’s Supporting Transformative Autism Research (STAR), we will be able to leverage our findings to generate new treatment strategies tailored to autistic girls.”

According to the researchers, the study’s findings indicate that conclusions that are drawn from studies that primarily analyzed boys with ASD should not be assumed to also hold true for girls with ASD. Pelphrey explained, “This new study provides us with a roadmap for understanding how to better match current and future evidenced-based interventions to underlying brain and genetic profiles, so that we can get the right treatment to the right individual.”

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

save article
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

toddler girl choosing clothes from closet
This Viral Bedtime Routine Helps Prevent Morning Wardrobe Meltdowns
By Wyndi Kappes
mother and toddler daughter sitting on the couch reading a book together at home
How to Tell if Your Toddler Is Smart
Medically Reviewed by Lauren Crosby, MD
father talking to toddler daughter while playing at home
Early Childhood Parenting Style Could Influence ADHD Severity in Kids
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
toddler painting on bathroom door
Toddler Discipline: Why Toddlers Act Out—and What You Can Do About It
Medically Reviewed by Dina DiMaggio Walters, MD
7 Weird Toddler Behaviors That Are Actually Normal
7 Weird Toddler Behaviors That Are Actually Normal
By Jenna McCarthy
baby sucking thumb while sitting in stroller outside
Why Babies Suck Their Thumbs—and When to Curb the Habit
Medically Reviewed by Dina DiMaggio Walters, MD
toddler girl knocking behind glass back door
How to Deal With Your Child’s Separation Anxiety
By Rachel Morris
ADVERTISEMENT
father holding baby's hands while walking
These Are the 13 Best States for Babies to Get a Strong Start
By Wyndi Kappes
toddler sitting on couch and having a temper tantrum
Toddler Tantrums: Why They Happen and How to Cope
Medically Reviewed by Dina DiMaggio Walters, MD
close up of baby's eyes
Signs of an Overstimulated Baby (and How to Calm Their System)
Medically Reviewed by Lauren Crosby, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
toddlers playing side by side
The Different Stages of Play and How They Help Kids Learn
Medically Reviewed by Dina DiMaggio Walters, MD
millennial mother talking to toddler at home
73 Percent of Millennial Moms Share This Parenting Style
By Wyndi Kappes
baby playing alone with toys on the floor
Why Is Solitary Play Important for Babies and Toddlers?
By Lisa Milbrand
ADVERTISEMENT
toddler touching head in pain
Is Head Banging in Babies and Toddlers Normal?
By Cindy Hovington, PhD
baby lying on pink blanket with tongue out
Pediatrician Goes Viral After Sharing These "Secret" Baby Milestones
By Wyndi Kappes
toddler hugging smiling mom
10 Ways Toddlers Say ‘I Love You’—Without Actually Saying ‘I Love You’
By Lauren Barth
baby with two smiling moms reaching for pet dog
5 Research-Backed Ways Dogs Can Benefit Baby
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
entrance of chuck e cheese's
Chuck E. Cheese Snubs Black Child in Latest Incident of Mascot Racism
By Wyndi Kappes
three proud and confident children smiling outside
How to Raise a Confident Kid
By Nehal Aggarwal
Praise From Parents May Improve a Child’s Persistence, Study Says
Praise From Parents May Improve a Child’s Persistence, Study Says
By Nehal Aggarwal
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.