Understanding the Neuropsychology of Autism Spectrum Disorders In Men

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-17-2015

School

Psychology

Abstract

Men in the general population exhibit more autistic traits than women. In a study of autistic traits in adults with normal intelligence, Baron-Cohen and colleagues found that, among control subjects without autism spectrum disorder (ASD), twice as many men as women had elevated scores on an autism screener, the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) (Baron-Cohen, Wheelwright, Skinner, Martin, & Clubley, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 36(1), 5–17, 2001). While only 4 % of male controls in their study scored at the highest level on the screening measure, none of the women scored as high, even women who were later diagnosed with ASD (i.e., Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, or Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS).

A preponderance of males with ASD have been observed since Leo Kanner wrote his seminal article about autism in 1943, and a year later Hans Asperger published an article describing the autistic personality as an extreme variant of male intelligence or character (Kanner, Nervous Child, 2, 217–250, 1943; Asperger, Archiv fur Psychiatrie and Nervenkrankheiten, 117(1), 76–136, 1944). More than five decades later, Baron-Cohen and Hammer (Advances in Infancy Research, 11, 193–217, 1997) posited the Extreme Male Brain (EMB) theory of autism. The EMB theory states that the male proclivity for precision, logical thinking, and analysis is consistent with the preference for predictable rule-governed systems such as mathematics and fact memorization. Similarly, individuals with ASD have little interest in unpredictable or ambiguous situations such as social systems. Clearly, males and individuals with ASD have shown a preference for science, engineering, and technology. A survey of Cambridge University undergraduate students majoring in the sciences (e.g., science, engineering, and mathematics) revealed six times as many family relatives with ASD when compared to humanity majors (e.g., English, French literature) (Baron-Cohen et al., Autism, 2, 296–301, 1998).

Gender differences in social cognition, emotional expression, and perception continue to support the EMB theory of autism. Recent research has shown that males and females with ASD differ both neuropsychologically and behaviorally. Symptoms of ASD and the degree of symptom severity may be manifested differently in males and females. Furthermore, males and females with ASD vary in areas of social cognition and executive functioning. Therefore, gender considerations may have important implications for assessment and treatment of individuals with ASD.

In this chapter, issues related to ASD in males will be presented, including symptom manifestation, prevalence and comorbidity, neuropsychological underpinnings, long-term outcomes, and implications for assessment, treatment, education, and vocation

Publication Title

The Neuropsychology of Men: A Developmental Perspective from Theory to Evidence-based Practice

First Page

63

Last Page

83

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