Sleep Behaviors and Handedness in Gifted and Non-Gifted Children

Patterns of sleep behaviors appear to differ across students with special needs including those classified with developmental disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and autism. One understudied segment of the special needs population is that of gifted children, students who bring their own unique set of behavioral characteristics. In the present study, it was hypothesized that because of unique cognitive and socio-emotional intensities, gifted children would experience elevated levels of sleep disturbance in comparison to their non-gifted peers. Handedness was also surveyed for additional insight into cerebral organization. The study's participants were 35 gifted and 23 non-gifted students between the ages of 8-12. To measure sleep behaviors, data from the Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire (Abbreviated), Sleep Self-Report, and a sleep diary were collected. To assess handedness, the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory was administered. Results indicated that although gifted students did trend toward experiencing more sleep disturbance, when compared to non-gifted students, no significant differences were found in mean bedtime, hours slept, sleeping problems, or use of electronic devices before bedtime. In terms of handedness, gifted participants displayed more left-hand bias. Although no differences were found between sleep patterns of gifted vs. non-gifted children, this study adds to the limited evidential base on gifted children, handedness, and sleep. Additional research on sleep behaviors within this special needs cohort may be warranted.