Another finding of this study is that autistic-like social deficits, in general, were associated with more problems with peers, including bullying, peer rejection, and preference of hanging out with older or younger children. Moreover, this association was moderated by age and gender such that it was particularly stronger in older females (Grades 5–8). This finding seems contradictory at first to the finding that girls with autistic traits showed less difficulties making and maintaining friendships than girls with autistic traits. However, it should be noted that the outcome variable under discussion here (i.e., bullying, peer rejection, and preference of hanging out with older or younger children) addresses problematic peer interactions that occur at a large peer group level, as opposed to a dyadic level (e.g., mutual friendships). With this point in mind, it is possible that although girls with autistic-like social deficits may manage to have friendships, they may still be at increased risk for experiencing bullying or rejection by unfamiliar peers. This is particularly the case in preadolescence or adolescence when peers become increasingly salient, and people hold a higher expectation for girls than for boys to be prosocial and socially-inclined (Holtmann et al., 2007).