Sleep and Behavioral Problems in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Micah O Mazurek1, Kristin Sohl2

  • 1Department of Health Psychology, Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Missouri, 205 Portland Street, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA. mazurekm@missouri.edu.

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|January 30, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Sleep disturbances in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are linked to behavioral issues like aggression and inattention. Night awakenings, in particular, strongly correlate with daytime behavior problems in children with ASD.

Area of Science:

  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Pediatric sleep medicine
  • Behavioral science

Background:

  • Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently experience sleep disturbances and behavioral dysregulation.
  • The precise relationship between specific sleep problems and behavioral issues in ASD requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the associations between specific sleep problems and various behavioral dysregulations in children with ASD.
  • To determine the extent to which sleep disturbances predict behavioral problems in this population.

Main Methods:

  • The study analyzed data from 81 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
  • Sleep patterns and behavioral problems were assessed to identify correlations.

Main Results:

  • Significant associations were found between sleep problems and physical aggression, irritability, inattention, and hyperactivity in children with ASD.
  • Sleep disturbances explained a substantial portion (22-32%) of the variance in behavior problems.
  • Night awakenings demonstrated the most consistent and robust association with daytime behavioral issues, independent of age and sex.

Conclusions:

  • Sleep disturbances are significantly associated with behavioral dysregulation in children with autism spectrum disorder.
  • Targeting specific sleep problems, such as night awakenings, may be a crucial strategy for improving daytime behavior in children with ASD.

Keywords:
AggressionAutismAutism spectrum disorderBehavior problemsHyperactivityInattentionSleep

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