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Outcomes of a Behavioral Intervention for Sleep Disturbances in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Sela Ann Sanberg1,2, Brett R Kuhn3, Abigail E Kennedy3

  • 1Department of Psychology, Munroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), 985450 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5450, USA. sela.a.sanberg@wmich.edu.

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|June 23, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Bedtime Fading with Response Cost (BFRC) effectively reduced sleep disturbances in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Parent-implemented interventions in the home environment led to sustained improvements in sleep behaviors.

Area of Science:

  • Behavioral science
  • Developmental psychology
  • Pediatric sleep medicine

Background:

  • Sleep disturbances are prevalent in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
  • Parent-implemented behavioral interventions are crucial for managing childhood sleep issues.
  • Existing treatments often require specialized settings, limiting accessibility.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of Bedtime Fading with Response Cost (BFRC) for ASD-related sleep disturbances.
  • To assess the feasibility of parent-led BFRC implementation in the home environment.
  • To examine the maintenance of treatment gains over time.

Main Methods:

  • A non-concurrent multiple baseline design was employed across three children with ASD.
  • Parents acted as change agents, implementing BFRC in the home setting.
  • Data collection focused on specific sleep parameters and behavioral observations.

Main Results:

  • BFRC significantly reduced co-sleeping, night awakenings, and sleep-onset dependence.
  • Improvements were observed in sleep onset latency, bedtime resistance, and disruptive behaviors.
  • Follow-up assessments confirmed the maintenance of achieved sleep improvements.

Conclusions:

  • Parent-implemented BFRC is an effective treatment for sleep disturbances in children with ASD.
  • Home-based behavioral interventions offer a practical and successful approach to pediatric sleep issues.
  • This study supports the integration of behavioral sleep interventions into routine care for children with ASD.

Keywords:
AutismBehavioral intervention and Behavioral medicineChildrenParentsSleep

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