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Published on: July 31, 2017
Sleep patterns in children with autistic spectrum disorders: a prospective cohort study
Joanna S Humphreys1, Paul Gringras, Peter S Blair
1Hospital for Sick Children, , Toronto, Canada.
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|September 25, 2013
Summary
Children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) experience reduced sleep duration starting at 30 months of age, with shorter nights and more frequent waking persisting into adolescence. This sleep pattern can be an early predictor of ASD.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) are complex neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by social communication deficits and restricted, repetitive behaviors.
- Sleep disturbances are frequently reported in children with ASD, but longitudinal patterns and their developmental trajectories remain less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the longitudinal trajectory of sleep patterns in children diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs).
- To identify potential early indicators of ASD based on sleep characteristics during early childhood.
Main Methods:
- A prospective longitudinal study utilized data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) cohort.
- Parental reports of sleep duration were collected via questionnaires at eight time points, from 6 months to 11 years of age.
- Children with an ASD diagnosis by age 11 (n=73) were identified through health and education records.
Main Results:
- Children with ASD exhibited significantly reduced total sleep duration (17-43 minutes less daily) from 30 months to 11 years compared to controls.
- This reduction was primarily due to shorter night-time sleep, characterized by later bedtimes and earlier wake times, and increased night waking frequency.
- Significant decreases in individual sleep duration between adjacent time points predicted ASD diagnosis between 18-30 months and 30-42 months of age.
Conclusions:
- Reduced sleep duration, beginning around 30 months of age, is a persistent characteristic in children with autistic spectrum disorders, extending into adolescence.
- Specific longitudinal changes in sleep duration may serve as early predictive markers for ASD.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
01:15REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...
RBD is significantly associated with...