Understanding how sex and gender affect autism in children
Sex, Gender, and Camouflage in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Multimodal, Accelerated Longitudinal Design
This study is looking at how autism shows up differently in boys and girls during early childhood, especially how girls might hide their symptoms, and it involves observing 280 kids aged 4 to 8 to help improve understanding and support for all children with autism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10908287 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the differences in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) between boys and girls, focusing on how these differences manifest in early childhood. By examining social motivation and behaviors, the study aims to understand how autistic girls may camouflage their symptoms differently than boys. The research will involve 280 children, both neurotypical and autistic, aged 4 to 8, who will be observed over several years to track their development and behaviors. This approach will help clarify the roles of sex and gender in autism and may lead to better diagnostic and support strategies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 4 to 8, both neurotypical and those diagnosed with autism, with a balanced representation of boys and girls.
Not a fit: Patients outside the age range of 4 to 8 years or those not diagnosed with autism may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and support for autistic individuals, particularly girls, enhancing early diagnosis and intervention.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding sex differences in autism, but this specific approach of examining sex, gender, and camouflaging together in early childhood is novel.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harrop, Clare Elizabeth — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Harrop, Clare Elizabeth
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.