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Parent-Reported Problematic Sleep Behaviors in Children with Comorbid Autism Spectrum Disorder and

Katharine C Reynolds1, Michelle Patriquin2,3, Candice A Alfano1

  • 1University of Houston, Department of Psychology; 3695 Cullen Boulevard Room 126 Houston, TX 77204-5022.

Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders
|October 31, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Internalizing difficulties, not Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) severity, were linked to sleep problems in children with both conditions. These sleep issues also impacted their daily functioning.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Sleep problems are common in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
  • Limited research exists on sleep issues in children with comorbid ASD and ADHD.
  • Sleep disturbances negatively affect social, emotional, and academic functioning in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate diagnostic severity as a predictor of sleep problems in children with comorbid ASD/ADHD.
  • To assess the relationship between sleep problems and functional domains (intellectual, academic, executive) in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Sleep, internalizing difficulties, intellectual functioning, academic achievement, and executive functioning were assessed.
  • The study included 85 children with dual diagnoses of ASD and ADHD.

Main Results:

  • Internalizing difficulties were the strongest predictor of problematic sleep behaviors (e.g., nightmares, overtiredness, trouble sleeping).
  • Parent-reported sleep problems were significantly associated with functional domains, even after accounting for ASD, ADHD, and internalizing symptoms.

Conclusions:

  • Internalizing symptoms are linked to sleep problems in children with comorbid ASD/ADHD.
  • These sleep issues may have significant implications for the daily functioning of children with comorbid ASD/ADHD.
Abstract

Keywords:
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorderautism spectrum disorderchildpsychopathologysleep

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