Language and Cognitive Profiles in Young Children with Autism: Gender Differences

Background: Language deficits and delays are a hallmark of young children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. Differences in the incidence of autism by gender is well documented; however there is scant information regarding the pattern of language skills and gender profiles in young children with autism. Understanding the profiles of young children with autism can inform developmental trajectories and provide salient evidence for treatment approaches.,Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine the language and cognitive profiles with autism spectrum disorders to further our understanding of autism phenotypes and subtypes of autism in the context of language skills.,Methods: Participants included 24 children diagnosed with ASD (12 boy and 12 girls) with ages ranging from 24-42 months who were also matched on age and developmental level. Children were classified as verbal or nonverbal based on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, and assessed using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning, the Expressive One Word Picture Vocabulary Test, the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, and language subtests of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales.,Results: The results indicated that the young girls with autism demonstrated significant deficits on all language and cognitive profiles when compared with the young boys with autism on both verbal and nonverbal measures of cognition, and language (both receptive and expressive measures). A previous study conducted by Lord, Schopler & Revicki, (1982) reported males showing more advanced skills on the PPVT and nonverbal IQ in children ages 3 to 8 year olds; however the receptive skill differences disappeared when nonverbal IQ was controlled. Other studies examining gender have been with older children and adults, and have not examined profiles in very young children with autism. Conclusions: The preliminary results of the current study may indicate neurocognitive mechanisms underlying language processing in young children with autism that have both theoretical and clinical implications. While language skills may be independent of IQ in autism, it is clear that it is important to understand developmental profiles that may have long term prognostic indicators for young children with autism, and the influence that sex differences may play in the domain of language skill development.