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Abstract
This study aimed to identify robust symptom markers that: a) distinguished autistic females with Intelligence Quotients (IQs) ≥ 100 from autistic males with IQs ≥ 100 and b) distinguished females with IQs ≥ 100 from females with lower IQs. Utilizing the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network (ATN) archival database, analyses were conducted to determine differences in scores on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2nd Edition (ADOS-2) and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales for children aged 2 to 11. Independent samples t – tests were utilized. Our expected results were as follows: Item endorsement for female participants with IQs ≥ 100 will consist of fewer social and communication deficits, restrictive and repetitive behaviors, and higher adaptive functioning abilities than male participants with IQs ≥ 100 and autistic females with IQs < 100. The results of this study show that higher IQ autistic females exhibited fewer social impairments and communication deficits than both higher and lower IQ males and females. When higher and lower IQ females' adaptive functioning was considered, higher IQ females demonstrated superior overall adaptive skills, but as autistic females aged, a discernible decline in these adaptive skills became evident.
