# Pubertal, Psychological and Physiological Development in Females with Autism

> **NIH NIH R01** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2022 · $734,311

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Puberty is among the most complex developmental transitions over the human lifetime. The timing (age of onset)
and tempo (rate of change) of puberty can significantly and negatively impact physical, psychosocial and
physiological functioning, especially in females. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impaired
reciprocal social communication and poor adaptation to change; thus, the onset and course of puberty marks a
pivotal transition. In a series of cross-sectional studies, findings from the study team have shown: 1) advanced
pubertal timing for female youth with ASD compared to typically developing females (i.e., breast development,
menses) using rigorous assessment of pubertal staging; 2) distinct camouflaging behaviors in females with ASD
when socially interacting with peers; 3) higher depressive symptoms in early adolescents with ASD, especially
females; 4) sex-based differences in neural socioemotional processing in youth with ASD; and 5) elevated stress
and arousal in youth with ASD compared to same-age TD peers that increases with age and pubertal
development. Consistent across these studies is the unique profile of females with ASD and the potential
deleterious impact of early puberty in this vulnerable, understudied population and developmental window. While
the previous and ongoing pubertal development research is compelling, at the start of enrollment, 80% of the
10-year old females with ASD had already entered puberty compared to 29% of the TD group; therefore, the
true onset of puberty could not be determined. Moreover, it was based on a relatively small sample of females
with ASD 10-13 years (N = 35). Thus, a comprehensive exploration of pubertal maturation in a large sample of
younger girls with ASD is needed. The overarching goal is to systematically examine the precise onset, tempo
and course of pubertal, psychosocial and physiological development in females with ASD using a multimodal,
multimethod, accelerated longitudinal design. A large sample of females with ASD (n=120) and TD (n=120)
spanning 6 to 15 years will be followed over four years: Cohort 1 enrolled at 6-years (follow 6-9), Cohort 2
enrolled at 8-years (follow 8-11), Cohort 3 enrolled at 10-years (follow 10-13) and Cohort 4 enrolled at 12-years
(follow 12-15). The aims will address three key areas. Aim 1: Pubertal development - will examine the timing,
tempo and course of puberty based on physical development (Tanner stage (TS), body mass index (BMI), height,
linear growth velocity (LGV)), hormones (Estradiol, Luteinizing Hormone (LH)), and menstrual cycle. Aim 2:
Psychosocial profiles - will examine reciprocal social communication (CASS) and internalizing symptoms
(anxiety and depression) at the onset and over the course of pubertal development. Aim 3. Physiological
characterization - will simultaneously examine social functioning at the level of the central nervous system (EEG
hyperscanning), HPA axis (cortisol) and peripher...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10460717
- **Project number:** 1R01HD107695-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Blythe Anne Corbett
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $734,311
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10460717

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10460717, Pubertal, Psychological and Physiological Development in Females with Autism (1R01HD107695-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10460717. Licensed CC0.

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