The Art of Camouflage: Gender Differences in the Social Behaviors of Girls and Boys with Autism Spectrum Disorder

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  • Author(s): Dean, Michelle; Harwood, Robin; Kasari, Connie
  • Language:
    English
  • Source:
    Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. Aug 2017 21(6):678-689.
  • Publication Date:
    2017
  • Document Type:
    Journal Articles
    Reports - Research
  • Additional Information
    • Availability:
      SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: http://sagepub.com
    • Peer Reviewed:
      Y
    • Source:
      12
    • Sponsoring Agency:
      Health Resources and Services Administration (DHHS)
    • Contract Number:
      UA3MC11055
    • Education Level:
      Elementary Education
    • Subject Terms:
      Autism; Pervasive Developmental Disorders; Gender Differences; Social Behavior; Mixed Methods Research; Elementary School Students; Symptoms (Individual Disorders); Child Behavior; Diagnostic Tests; Observation
    • Subject Terms:
      California (Los Angeles); Maryland (Baltimore); Washington (Seattle); Michigan (Ann Arbor)
    • Subject Terms:
      Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule
    • Accession Number:
      10.1177/1362361316671845
    • ISSN:
      1362-3613
    • Abstract:
      This study examined the extent to which gender-related social behaviors help girls with autism spectrum disorder to seemingly mask their symptoms. Using concurrent mixed methods, we examined the social behaviors of 96 elementary school children during recess (autism spectrum disorder = 24 girls and 24 boys, typically developing = 24 girls and 24 boys). Children with autism spectrum disorder had average intelligence (IQ ? 70), a confirmed diagnosis, and were educated in the general education classroom. Typically developing children were matched by sex, age, and city of residence to children with autism spectrum disorder. The results indicate that the female social landscape supports the camouflage hypothesis; girls with autism spectrum disorder used compensatory behaviors, such as staying in close proximity to peers and weaving in and out of activities, which appeared to mask their social challenges. Comparatively, the male landscape made it easier to detect the social challenges of boys with autism spectrum disorder. Typically developing boys tended to play organized games; boys with autism spectrum disorder tended to play alone. The results highlight a male bias in our perception of autism spectrum disorder. If practitioners look for social isolation on the playground when identifying children with social challenges, then our findings suggest that girls with autism spectrum disorder will continue to be left unidentified.
    • Abstract:
      As Provided
    • Number of References:
      42
    • Publication Date:
      2017
    • Accession Number:
      EJ1149803