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Psychiatr Prax 2023; 50(06): 299-307
DOI: 10.1055/a-2043-9812
Originalarbeit

Geschlechtsunterschiede in der Autismusdiagnostik

Gender Differences in Autism Diagnostics
Alina Breddemann
1   MUNIK – Münchner Universitäres Institut für Kinder- und Jugendlichenpsychotherapie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
,
Leonhard Schilbach
2   Munich Center for Neurosciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
3   Psychiatrie, LVR-Klinikum Düsseldorf – Kliniken der Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
,
Eva Kunerl
4   Pädagogik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
,
Markus Witzmann
5   Fakultät für angewandte Sozialwissenschaften, Hochschule München
,
Tobias Schuwerk
1   MUNIK – Münchner Universitäres Institut für Kinder- und Jugendlichenpsychotherapie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
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Zusammenfassung

Die Autismus-Spektrum-Störung (ASS) wird vor allem bei Jungen und Männern diagnostiziert. Es gibt Hinweise darauf, dass dies auch daran liegt, dass Autismus bei Mädchen und Frauen oft nicht oder spät diagnostisch erkannt wird. Diese Studie untersuchte Geschlechtsunterschiede in der Diagnostik, vorrangig im Diagnosealter und Fehldiagnosen, im Weiteren im Unterstützungsbedarf, der psychischen Gesundheit und der Lebenszufriedenheit bei ASS. Es wurden Daten von 659 in Bayern lebenden Autist:innen im Alter von 3–67 Jahren im Rahmen einer Online-Fragebogenstudie erhoben (215 davon weiblich). Frauen mit ASS wurden im Mittel 7–11 Jahre später diagnostiziert als Männer und erhielten mit höherer Wahrscheinlichkeit mindestens eine Fehldiagnose. Sie hatten häufiger unerfüllten Unterstützungsbedarf im Bildungsbereich und komorbide internalisierende psychische Störungen als Männer mit ASS. Die Ergebnisse dieser Studie zeigen einen deutlichen Geschlechtsbias in der Diagnostik von ASS in Deutschland und weisen somit auf Optimierungsbedarf hin.

Abstract

Autism spectrum condition (ASC) is predominantly diagnosed in boys and men. There is evidence that this is also because girls and women with ASC don’t receive a diagnosis, or, if they do, only later in life. This study investigates gender differences in diagnosis, support needs, mental health, and life satisfaction among individuals with autism spectrum condition (ASC) in Germany. Data of an online questionnaire study with 659 persons with ASC from 3–67 years of age living in Bavaria, Germany, were analyzed (215 thereof were female). It was found that women with ASC are diagnosed 7–11 years later than men and are more likely to receive at least one misdiagnosis. They are more likely than men to have unmet educational support needs and comorbid internalizing psychiatric disorders. The results of this study point towards a strong gender bias in clinical diagnosis of ASC in Germany and need for improvements in the case of women.

Schlüsselwörter

Autismus-Spektrum-Störung - Geschlechtsunterschiede - Frauen - Diagnostik - Geschlechtsbias

Key words

Autism spectrum condition - gender differences - women - diagnosis - gender bias


Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 01. Mai 2022

Angenommen: 23. Februar 2023

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
05. Mai 2023

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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