Objective To examine gender- and age-related differences in developmental levels and symptom severity among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and to analyze the correlation between symptom severity and developmental levels, in order to provide theoretical support for early ASD identification, diagnosis, and intervention. Methods A total of 236 children aged 18 - 72 months who were newly diagnosed with ASD at the Developmental-Behavioral Clinic of Beijing Chaoyang Maternal and Child Health Hospital were enrolled in this study between January 2020 and July 2024.Developmental quotients (DQs) were assessed using the Gesell Developmental Schedules, while symptom severity was evaluated with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS).Comparative analysis of developmental levels and symptom severity across genders and age groups were conducted, along with correlation analyses between symptom severity and developmental levels. Results No significant gender differences were observed in adaptive, fine motor, language, or personal-social DQs, nor in total CARS scores (P>0.05).However, girls demonstrated significantly higher gross motor DQs than boys (Z=2.059, P<0.05).Significant age-related differences were found in adaptability (H=18.108), gross motor (H=68.413), fine motor (H=26.194), and personal-social (H=44.728) DQs (P<0.001), with the <2-year-old group showing the highest scores and the ≥3-year-old group the lowest.The distribution of gross motor developmental level across genders showed significant variation (χ2＝11.539, P<0.01), and boys demonstrated significantly higher rate of gross motor developmental delay than girls. Age-stratified analyses revealed statistically significant differences in adaptive (χ2=23.206), gross motor (χ2=74.583), fine motor (χ2=41.321), and personal-social (χ2=44.560) development levels (P<0.001), with the ≥3-year-old group exhibiting the highest developmental delay rates.CARS scores showed significantly negative correlations with all developmental domains (adaptive: r=-0.341, gross motor: r=-0.266, fine motor: r=-0.336, language: r=-0.331, personal-social: r=-0.399, P<0.001). Conclusions ASD children show no marked gender differences in developmental levels or symptom severity.However, older age and greater symptom severity are associated with lower developmental levels.ASD intervention programs should be individualized based on comprehensive developmental assessments and symptom.
Key words
autism spectrum disorder /
gender /
age /
development level /
children
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