Gender differences in childhood play: Quantitative and text-mining analyses of early play experiences and their associations with ASD-related traits

Key Points

• Children exhibited significant gender differences in play experiences associated with ASD-related traits, highlighting variation in developmental pathways.
• Quantitative analysis revealed distinct play patterns among genders, particularly those showing characteristics linked to autism spectrum disorder.
• Text-mining analyses of qualitative data supported the quantitative findings, underscoring the importance of context in understanding child play.
• These insights may guide tailored interventions that address varying developmental needs based on gender differences.