Express yourself! A comparison of how autistic boys and girls communicate through joint attention and expressive language

Journal article

Language and communication differences are core characteristics of autism, but few studies have explored the associations of joint attention and communication behaviours in young autistic children. This study explores caregiver-reported measures of expressive language and joint attention behaviours from birth to age 3, noting differences between autistic and nonautistic children, as well as gender differences. A secondary data analysis of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children population cohort was undertaken, exploring links between different aspects of expressive language and joint attention. A statistical analysis of multivariate test of means conducted in StataMP17 explored the associations of expressive language, joint attention, autism, and gender. The results showed differences between autistic and non-autistic children for all but one of the variables regarding joint attention and expressive language. Differences in social pretend play and number of words known at age 3 between autistic and non-autistic children showed the strongest association. Furthermore, joint attention measures are effective in differentiating autistic and non-autistic boys, and social pretend play at age 3 may also be effective in differentiating autistic and non-autistic girls, and autistic boys and girls. This study concluded that there is potential to differentiate between autistic boys and girls through social pretend play behaviours at age 3. These differences were observed despite the small sample size of autistic girls, and the analyses suggested that social pretend play behaviours may be more important differentiators of autistic boys and girls than speech or language outcomes.

Authors: Hodge, G; Aitken, D; Zhao, YV

• Publication status: Accepted
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Springer
• Journal: Current Psychology
• Acceptance date: 2025-10-08
• EISSN: 1936-4733
• ISSN: 1046-1310
• Language: English