Title: Studying sex/gender differences and autism: Setting the scene for future research
Speaker: Dr. Meng-Chuan Lai (賴孟泉)
Autism Research Centre
University of Cambridge
Time: 2014/3/18 Tue 14:00 ~ 16:00
Venue: 1st Conference Room, Auditorium and Activity Center (陽明大學活動中心第一會議室).

Abstract:
Autism is a set of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental conditions, characterised by early-onset difficulties in social communication and unusually restricted, repetitive behaviour and interests. It has long been considered to be much more prevalent in males than females. This perceived bias in prevalence is often viewed as having substantial aetiological implications. The overarching theme about the relationships between sex/gender differences and autism is nevertheless complicated, meanwhile informative for the understanding to potential aetiologies and developmental mechanisms of autism. In this talk I will first critically examine the long-held view of a male-bias in autism. I will then propose and discuss a framework to clarify different sets of questions in relation to sex/gender differences and autism, for future research, namely (1) nosological considerations, (2) similarities and differences between males and females with autism, (3) general models of sex/gender-differential aetiological load, and (4) specific aetiological mechanisms associated with sex/gender.