User:Sunnyari93/sandbox

Other Explanations
These explanations argue that the vulnerabilities to ASD are more prevalent in males, but gendered socialization does not affect and/or amplify these vulnerabilities. These explanations do not view gendered socialization as a factor in producing M : F differences, and these are the more popular and widely-held popular views in scientific literature (Cheslack, Jordan-Young p. 1667-1668).

Androgen theory and Extreme Male Brain Theory of Autism
This theory suggests that symptoms of Autism Spectrum are partly a result of higher testosterone levels, which explains why there is a much higher prevalence of autism in males. Autistic brains are described as the “extreme of the typical male brain”. There have been findings that suggest that autistic individuals, regardless of sex, have higher performance on tests on which males typically perform higher, such as measures of intuitive physics, and have lower performance on tests on which females typically excel such as measures relating to empathy or “intuitive psychology”.

There is a direct correlation of Fetal Testosterone (FT) levels with many autistic traits determined by the Child Autism Spectrum Quotient and Childhood Asperger screening test, such as lower scores on the Child Empathizing Quotient. Girls with Autism are more likely to exhibit “male” characteristics in their mental abilities and play preferences, Often individuals with autism develop and manifest in other conditions that are androgen-related. For instance, acne, Hirsutism, irregular menstrual cycles and dismenhorrea are more common in autistic individuals. While there is not evidence that this is a direct result of autism, high testosterone and androgen levels exist in all conditions.

Many researchers prefer to refer to Autism Spectrum Disorder as “Autism Spectrum Condition”, as it acknowledges that this is a medical condition with differences in the brain to those without autism, but does not label or stigmatize autistic individuals.

There have been several studies that observe adults who were diagnosed with autism as a child, which report that, for 30%-40% of autists, functioning improves over time with increases in verbal IQ, improvements in self-awareness and self-control, and increases in communication abilities. In contrast, other studies have also shown that 10%-30% of autists show an increase in hyperactivity and aggression as adults. Those whose symptoms worsen is likely caused by increase of stressful conditions in adulthood, lack of consistent structure in daily life, or other disruptions in home life. .