Mathematical Modeling of Gender-Specific Outcomes in Behavioral and Pharmacological Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder

This MSc thesis investigates gender-specific patterns and outcomes in behavioral and pharmacological interventions for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), synthesizing evidence from three major meta-analyses. The study examines gender-related differences in core ASD domains, including social communication, the moderating role of intellectual disability, restricted and repetitive behaviors, sensory and linguistic functioning, and the intersection between ASD and gender dysphoria/incongruence. A secondary data re-analysis was performed using statistical modeling in R to reproduce and evaluate the robustness of the original meta-analytic findings. The results indicate that autistic females demonstrate enhanced social communication skills and higher camouflaging tendencies, influencing both diagnosis and intervention response. Differences were also observed in pharmacological treatment effectiveness, while gender-diverse individuals showed elevated levels of autistic traits. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of developing gender-sensitive diagnostic tools and intervention frameworks to ensure accurate assessment and effective support across the gender spectrum.