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Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Sleep disturbances and their association with behaviour in children with autism spectrum disorder: a cross-sectional

Harminder Kaur1, Karuthan Chinna2, Ranjini Sivanesom1

  • 1Paediatric Department, Hospital Tunku Azizah, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Singapore Medical Journal
|April 20, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Sleep disturbances are common in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Poor sleep quality in these children is linked to increased behavioral issues, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects a significant number of children globally.
  • Sleep disturbances are frequently reported in children with ASD, impacting their development and daily functioning.
  • Understanding the prevalence and behavioral associations of sleep problems in young children with ASD is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of sleep disturbances in children aged 2-5 years diagnosed with ASD.
  • To investigate the association between sleep quality and behavioral problems in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 134 children aged 2-5 years with ASD, diagnosed per DSM-5 criteria.
  • Parent-reported data collected using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL/1.5-5).
  • Children were categorized as good or poor sleepers based on CSHQ scores; behavioral problems were assessed using CBCL T-scores.

Main Results:

  • A high prevalence of sleep disturbances was observed, with 93.3% of children identified as poor sleepers (mean CSHQ score 49.77).
  • Poor sleepers exhibited significantly higher internalizing, externalizing, and total behavioral problem scores compared to good sleepers.
  • Children with moderate to severe sleep problems showed clinically significant internalizing and externalizing behavioral issues.

Conclusions:

  • Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent in young children with autism spectrum disorder.
  • There is a significant association between poor sleep quality and increased behavioral problems in children with ASD.
  • Addressing sleep disturbances may be a key strategy for managing behavioral challenges in children with ASD.
Abstract

Keywords:
Autism spectrum disorderbehavioural problemschildrensleep disturbances

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