(PS2-71) Sample characteristics and marijuana use in a sample of autistic youth

Purpose. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increasingly become examined within the context of sexual and gender minority status (SGM). Studies have shown a link between ASD and SGM status with autistic individuals being more likely to identify with gender diversity than individuals with typical development. Within the autistic community, substance use is still thought to be rare, although more recent studies indicate elevated substance use risks in autistic individuals . Cannabis use has gained more acceptance throughout the United States and is highly prevalent, with 36.5% of people using marijuana falling between the ages of 18 to 25 (SAMSHA, 2024). Marijuana prevalence rates are still underexplored within autistic populations, specifically in those who hold both ASD and SGM identities. The present study aims to summarize initial self-reported cannabis use and to determine differences, if any, in cannabis use between autistic SGM and cis/heterosexual youth.

Methods: Participants were 254 youth, ages 12-24, with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Participants were recruited from a variety of sources including patient registries, outpatient clinics, community groups serving individuals with ASD, and college/university campuses. Inclusion criteria were: formal diagnosis of ASD confirmed by record review; IQ composite score >=75 on the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test, 2nd Ed. (KBIT-2), and verbal fluency in English. Participants completed measures on marijuana consumption and answered demographic questions including items on race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and biological sex.

Results: The mean age of participants was 19.37 years (SD = 3.36) and 66.8% over the age of 18. At enrollment, 33.2% were in grades 6-12, 39% in post-secondary education, and 27.7% were not currently in school. The majority of participants were non-Hispanic/white (n = 84.2% ). Biological sex was: male (n = 124), female (n = 132). Sexuality was reported as: cis/heterosexual (n = 109); gender and/or sexual minority (n = 147).

Approximately one-third (n = 83; 32.7%) of the overall sample endorsed using marijuana at least once in their lives. Of those 83 participants, 21 (25.3%) were male while 61 (73.4%) were female. Twelve (57.1%) of males who have ever used marijuana identified with SGM status while 55 (90%) of females who have ever used marijuana identified with SGM status. The vast majority of participants who have tried marijuana, regardless of sex, were over 18 years of age (93.4%).

 
Conclusion: Reports of cannabis use within the current sample suggest that females were more likely to endorse marijuana use than males. The prevalence of marijuana use within the (32.7%) suggests that autistic individuals might use cannabis at similar rates to their typically-developing counterparts. Results have implications for understanding motivations for marijuana use as well as risk factors for females and for sexual and gender-diverse autistic youth.