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Sleep in high-functioning children with autism: longitudinal developmental change and associations with behavior

Tamara May1, Kim Cornish, Russell Conduit

  • 1a School of Psychology & Psychiatry and Center for Developmental Psychiatry & Psychology Monash University , Clayton , Victoria , Australia.

Behavioral Sleep Medicine
|November 29, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Sleep disturbance is common in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Over one year, sleep issues decreased in ASD children, correlating with better social skills and predicting reduced anxiety.

Area of Science:

  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Pediatric sleep medicine
  • Autism spectrum disorder research

Background:

  • Sleep disturbance is a prevalent issue in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
  • Longitudinal patterns and changes in sleep disturbance over time within ASD populations are not well understood.
  • Understanding these changes is crucial for identifying effective interventions and support.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the longitudinal changes in sleep disturbance in children with ASD compared to typically developing (TYP) children.
  • To examine the relationship between changes in sleep disturbance and problem behaviors, including social ability and anxiety.
  • To define the trajectory of sleep disturbance in ASD over a one-year period.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 84 gender-matched children (aged 7-12 at baseline), including 46 with ASD and 38 TYP children, was studied.
  • Parental reports using standardized scales were collected at baseline and after one year to assess sleep disturbance and associated behaviors.
  • Statistical analyses were performed to compare groups and examine changes over time and correlations.

Main Results:

  • Children with ASD exhibited significantly higher levels of sleep disturbance compared to TYP children at baseline.
  • Sleep disturbance notably decreased over the one-year study period in the ASD group, whereas it remained stable in the TYP group.
  • A reduction in sleep disturbance was associated with improvements in social abilities among children with ASD.
  • Baseline sleep disturbance emerged as a significant predictor of later anxiety symptoms in the ASD cohort.

Conclusions:

  • Sleep disturbance follows distinct longitudinal trajectories in children with autism spectrum disorder.
  • Interventions aimed at reducing sleep disturbance in ASD may positively impact social functioning and anxiety levels.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the mechanisms underlying these sleep changes and their long-term implications for individuals with ASD.

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