The Diagnosis and Management of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Adult Females in the Presence or Absence of an Intellectual Disability.
Publication Date
2022-01-25Journal Title
Int J Environ Res Public Health
ISSN
1661-7827
Publisher
MDPI AG
Volume
19
Issue
3
Language
en
Type
Article
This Version
VoR
Metadata
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Rujeedawa, T., & Zaman, S. (2022). The Diagnosis and Management of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Adult Females in the Presence or Absence of an Intellectual Disability.. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 19 (3) https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031315
Abstract
We review the reasons for the greater male predominance in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in the non-intellectual disabled population and compare it to autism diagnosed in intellectually disabled individuals. Accurate and timely diagnosis is important, as it reduces health inequalities. Females often present later for the diagnosis. The differences are in core features, such as in social reciprocal interaction through 'camouflaging' and restricted repetitive behaviours, that are less noticeable in females and are potentially explained by the biological differences (female protective effect theory) and/or differences in presentation between the two sexes (female autism phenotype theory). Females more often present with internalising co-occurring conditions than males. We review these theories, highlighting the key differences and the impact of a diagnosis on females. We review methods to potentially improve diagnosis in females along with current and future management strategies.
Keywords
autism, female, intellectual disability
Identifiers
External DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031315
This record's URL: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/333361
Rights
Licence:
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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