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Sleep problems in children with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability without autism spectrum disorder

Sezen Köse1, Helin Yılmaz1, F Tuna Ocakoğlu1

  • 1Ege University School of Medicine, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Turkey.

Sleep Medicine
|December 10, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID) experience more sleep problems than typically developing children (TDC). Co-sleeping and family history of sleep issues significantly increase this risk.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Sleep disturbances are prevalent in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
  • Understanding the specific risk factors for sleep problems in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Intellectual Disability (ID) is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare sleep problems in children with ASD, ID, and typically developing children (TDC).
  • To identify correlations and risk factors associated with sleep disturbances in these groups.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 142 children aged 2-18 years.
  • Participants were categorized into ASD, ID (without ASD), and TDC groups.
  • The Childhood Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) was administered to parents to assess sleep disturbances.

Main Results:

  • Children with ASD and ID exhibited higher mean CSHQ scores compared to TDC, indicating more frequent sleep disturbances.
  • While not statistically significant, children with ID had slightly higher sleep disturbance scores than those with ASD.
  • Key risk factors for sleep disturbance included neurodevelopmental disorders, parental sleep disorder history, psychiatric comorbidity, and co-sleeping.

Conclusions:

  • Sleep disturbances are significantly more common in children with ASD and ID compared to TDC.
  • Co-sleeping and a family history of sleep problems are significant risk factors for sleep disturbances in children.
  • Behavioral interventions targeting co-sleeping and parental sleep habits may improve sleep in children with ASD and ID.
Abstract

Keywords:
Autism spectrum disorderCo-sleepingIntellectual disabilitySleep problems

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