Gender Differences in Play in Pre-School Autism

Background: In neurotypical development extensive research has been conducted into sex differences in toy preference and play behaviours (e.g. Maccoby and Jacklin, 1974). Typically girls choose to play with dolls and kitchen toys, whereas boys engage more with cars and construction toys (Jacklin et al, 1984). Girls have also been found to spend more time in pretence play than boys. In autism however, due to the sex differences in the prevalence of the disorder, equivalent studies have rarely been undertaken. Two recent studies, both using parental report, have examined the issue: Case-Smith and Kuhaneck (2008) found that girls with developmental delays (including autism) had a lower preference for doll and figurine play, though this was similarly reduced across the whole sample. Knickmeyer et al (2008) likewise found that girls demonstrated no preference for “female” toys. From parental report, it was also indicated that pretence was preserved to some extent in girls with autism relative to boys.

Objectives: This study extends previous research using a standardised observational methodology. Based on the previous literature we hypothesised 1) that the typical gender preferences found in the literature on neurotypical development would be reduced in girls with autism and 2) girls would demonstrate a relative preservation of play abilities over boys.

Methods: 14 girls and 14 boys (mean age = 44.9 months, SD = 8.2) with autism were individually matched on ADOS module and score. Children were filmed playing with their caregiver for up to 20 minutes with a standardised set of toys. 2 to 12 minutes were coded using Noldus Observer (1991) for toy choice and play behaviours. Participants also took part in the Pre-School Autism Communication Trial (PACT; www.medicine.mancheste r.ac.uk/pact) .

Results: Results indicated that the most popular toy, irrespective of gender, was the garage and cars (mean time of engagement during session = 159s). In addition, girls with autism spent significantly more time playing with dolls (z = -2.622, p = .009), however marginally engaged with the garage and cars more (z = -1.992, p = .046). No significant differences were found between girls and boys in their actual play behaviours.

Conclusions: The prediction that girls with autism would show preserved play abilities relative was not supported. The most popular toy choice, regardless of gender, was the garage and cars. Whilst preliminary, these results suggest that typical gender-appropriate play behaviours maybe absent in girls with autism or develop later. A further study is currently underway using the same measures on neurotypical controls matched for non verbal ability and gender. Data from this study will also be available for presentation – and will test whether girls and boys with autism differ significantly from their typically developing counterparts in a contemporary setting.