Study: Autism presents differently between boys, girls

Study: Autism presents differently between boys, girls


Boys and girls with autism don’t always display the same types of behaviors, and now researchers believe they have a better idea about why that is.

Brain organization differs between boys and girls with autism. A new Stanford University study detected the differences after analyzing hundreds of brain scans using artificial intelligence techniques.

Their research may lead to better diagnostic tools for girls and helps explain gender differences in autism symptoms.

Autism, a developmental disorder with a spectrum of severity, often shows up through social and communication problems, repetitive behaviors and restricted interests.

Since it was initially described in 1943, autism research has focused on males. Perhaps it’s not surprising, then, that the disorder is diagnosed four times as often in boys as it is in girls.

The study analyzed functional MRI brain scans from 773 children with autism — 637 boys and 136 girls.

Using 678 of the brain scans from children with autism, the researchers developed an algorithm that could distinguish between boys and girls with 86% accuracy. When they verified the algorithm on the remaining 95 brain scans, it maintained that accuracy.

Parts of the brain that guide functions such as sound perception, speech, touch, taste and movement showed the greatest differences.

While so much about autism remains a mystery, it’s clear that early diagnosis and intervention can help turn around language and other developmental delays.

And with young girls’ autism symptoms often camouflaged, studies that shed light and lead to earlier diagnosis could have life-changing impact.

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