title: Sex differences in the timing of identification among children and adults with autism spectrum disorders.
abstract: To examine differences by sex in the timing of identification of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), survey data were collected in the Netherlands from 2,275 males and females with autistic disorder, Asperger's syndrome and PDD-NOS. Among participants < 18 years of age, females with Asperger's syndrome were identified later than males. Among participants ≥ 18 years of age, females with autistic disorder were identified later than males. In more recent years, girls with Asperger's syndrome are diagnosed later than boys, confirming earlier findings. In adults, the delayed timing of diagnosis in females with autistic disorder may be related to changing practices in diagnosis over time. Strategies for changing clinician behaviour to improve recognition of ASD in females are needed.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. S.Begeer@vu.nl
authors.forename: Sander
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Begeer
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mandell
authors.forename: Bernadette
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wijnker-Holmes
authors.forename: Stance
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Venderbosch
authors.forename: Dorien
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rem
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stekelenburg
authors.forename: Hans M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Koot
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003625:Data Collection; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D012727:Sex Characteristics