Sex Differences in Arab Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Elsevier. 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32887-4800. Tel: 877-839-7126; Tel: 407-345-4020; Fax: 407-363-1354; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: http://www.elsevier.com

Y

8

Check Lists; Behavior Problems; Delinquency; Gender Differences; Autism; Arabs; Psychopathology; Child Behavior; Foreign Countries; Pervasive Developmental Disorders; Incidence; Symptoms (Individual Disorders); Comparative Analysis; Measures (Individuals); Emotional Response; Longitudinal Studies; Etiology

Egypt; Jordan; Saudi Arabia

10.1016/j.rasd.2011.01.015

1750-9467

Although autism spectrum disorders (ASD) prevalence is higher in males than females in Arab countries, few studies address sex differences in autistic symptoms and coexiting behavioral problems. A total of 37 boys and 23 girls recruited from three Arab countries (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan) matched for age and IQ. They were compared using Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism (ISAA) and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). The boys had poor emotional responsiveness and the girls had more cognitive problems. With regard to coexisting psychopathology boys exhibited significantly more delinquent behavior problems. Longitudinal, representative studies are needed to elucidate etiological significance of the observed sex differences. (Contains 2 tables.)

As Provided

2011

EJ927551