Characterizing sleep in children with autism spectrum disorders: a multidimensional approach

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Beth A Malow1, Mary L Marzec, Susan G McGrew

  • 1Sleep Disorders Division, Department of Neurology and Kennedy Center Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232-3375, USA. beth.malow@vanderbilt.edu

Sleep
|January 27, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Parental reports of sleep problems in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are confirmed by sleep studies and behavior assessments. Children with ASD who sleep poorly exhibit more behavioral and social challenges.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder Research

Background:

  • Sleep disturbances are common in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
  • Parental concerns about sleep in ASD require objective validation.
  • Understanding the link between sleep issues and ASD symptomatology is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To correlate parent-reported sleep concerns in ASD with polysomnographic (PSG) findings.
  • To examine the relationship between sleep problems and daytime behavior in children with ASD.
  • To assess the association between sleep quality and autism symptom severity.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study utilizing validated questionnaires (e.g., CSHQ) and sleep diaries.
  • Two nights of polysomnography (PSG) to objectively measure sleep architecture.
  • The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) for assessing autism symptomatology.

Main Results:

  • Children with ASD categorized as "poor sleepers" based on parental report demonstrated prolonged sleep latency and reduced sleep efficiency via PSG.
  • Poor sleepers with ASD scored higher on insomnia-related subscales of the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ).
  • ASD poor sleepers exhibited more affective problems and social interaction difficulties compared to ASD good sleepers.

Conclusions:

  • Parentally reported insomnia in children with ASD is supported by objective sleep measures (PSG) and validated questionnaires.
  • Children with ASD who are "good sleepers" show fewer affective and social challenges.
  • Sleep quality in ASD is significantly associated with behavioral and social functioning.
Abstract

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