An examination of differences in symptom endorsements of autism spectrum disorders: a comparison between mothers and fathers.

OBJECTIVE

Best assessment practices for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) incorporate both multimodal and multi-informant assessments. However, differences in symptoms reports from multiple informants can lead to diagnostic decision-making problems.

METHODS

Thus, the purpose of this paper was to examine differences in the reports of symptoms of ASD between parents (i.e. mothers and fathers) of children and adolescents that met research criteria for an ASD and additionally for a group of children that were typically-developing (n=39).

RESULTS

There were differences in the number of symptoms endorsed between mothers and fathers.

CONCLUSION

Implications of the current findings are discussed.