Sex-typical Play: Masculinization/Defeminization in Girls with an Autism Spectrum Condition
Abstract
We tested the hypothesis that prenatal masculinization of the brain by androgens increases risk of developing an autism spectrum condition (ASC). Sex-typical play was measured in n = 66 children diagnosed with an ASC and n = 55 typically developing age-matched controls. Consistent with the hypothesis, girls with autism did not show the female-typical play preferences, though this was only seen on non-pretence items. Boys with autism showed a preference for male play on non-pretence items, in keeping with their sex. Girls with autism engaged in more pretend play than boys with autism, suggesting that pretence is relatively more protected in females with autism. We conclude that play preference studies in ASC provide partial support for the fetal androgen theory.
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Elevated prenatal androgens have been strongly associated with ASD risk for more than a decade.
“For example, elevated prenatal androgens have been strongly associated with ASD risk for more than a decade (26–35) leading some to hypothesize that EDCs that alter androgen action may be contributory.”
From Endocrine Disruption of Vasopressin Systems and Related Behaviors (2017) · cites this paper as [33]
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- Authors
- Knickmeyer, R. C., Wheelwright, S., & Baron-Cohen, S. B.
- Affiliations
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US)
- University of Cambridge (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Knickmeyer, Rebecca C.
- Venue
- Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Published
- 2007-11-06
- Volume
- 38
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 1028-1035
- ISSN
- 0162-3257 (ISSN-L)
- 1573-3432
- OpenAlex
- W2015760442
- Cited by
- 95
- References
- 45
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 1.17
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Nancy Lurie Marks Family Foundation
- Government of the United Kingdom
- University of Cambridge
- Medical Research Council
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Sexual Differentiation and Disorders
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Keywords
- autism spectrum disorder, autistic girls, defeminization, pretend play, play preferences, sex differences, sex differences in brain
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Autistic Disorder, Brain, Child, Child, Preschool, Fantasy, Female, Gender Identity, Humans, Imagination, Male, Personality Assessment, Play and Playthings, Pregnancy, Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects, Reference Values, Testosterone
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