The Female Autism Phenotype: New Methods, New Discoveries

There is a burgeoning interest amongst researchers, clinicians, and members of the autism community in the ‘female autism phenotype’, i.e., a female-typical pattern of core and associated autistic characteristics. This is driven by the realisation that autistic females are often excluded from clinical care and research, because they do not fit the stereotypical conceptualisation of autism, which is largely based on male cases. To reverse this sex/gender-based inequality we need a better, evidence-based understanding of autism in girls and women. In this panel a combination of leaders in the field and early career researchers will present diverse methodologically innovative approaches to studying the female autism phenotype; and report on the discoveries these have yielded. The talks cover an in-depth, phenomenological investigation via qualitative research; new measures of the female autism phenotype; twin and family pedigree designs; and longitudinal epidemiological investigations. The panel will be of interest to autism scientists and clinicians, as it is designed to: (1) offer new insights into the female autism phenotype; (2) explain how these can be translated into practice to improve care for autistic females; (3) and point towards new, fruitful ways of conducting research in the area.
Friday, May 11, 2018: 3:30 PM-5:30 PM
Grote Zaal (de Doelen ICC Rotterdam)
Panel Chair:
W. Mandy
Discussant:
C. Gillberg
3:30 PM
Understanding the Health Care Experiences of Girls and Women on the Autism Spectrum
Y. Hamdani Y. Lunsky C. Kassee F. Nafeh B. Gladstone N. Bardikoff S. Ameis A. Sawyer P. Desarkar P. Szatmari M. C. Lai
3:55 PM
It Gets Better? Sex/Gender Differences in Social Camouflaging in Autistic and Non-Autistic Adults
L. Hull W. Mandy C. Allison P. Smith S. Baron-Cohen M. C. Lai K. V. Petrides
4:45 PM
Sex/Gender Differences across Contexts and Reporters
J. L. Taylor L. E. Smith DaWalt S. Odom K. Hume B. Kraemer L. J. Hall