Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 25, 2025

A Familiarization Protocol Facilitates the Participation of Children with ASD in Electrophysiological Research
08:42

A Familiarization Protocol Facilitates the Participation of Children with ASD in Electrophysiological Research

Published on: July 31, 2017

8.3K

A Practice Pathway for the Treatment of Night Wakings in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Anjalee W Galion1, Justin G Farmer2, Heidi V Connolly3

  • 1Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Orange County, 1201 W. La Veta Avenue, Orange, CA, 92868, USA. agalion@choc.org.

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|June 26, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience frequent sleep issues, particularly night wakings. This study updates a clinical pathway to better identify and treat this common sleep problem in children with ASD.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder Research

Background:

  • Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit high prevalence of sleep disturbances.
  • A previous clinical pathway by the Autism Treatment Network/Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (ATN/AIR-P) Sleep Committee (2012) aimed to address these issues.
  • Clinicians and parents identified night wakings as a persistent problem not adequately covered by the existing pathway.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the existing literature on night waking in children with ASD.
  • To propose an updated practice pathway for the identification and treatment of night waking in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify relevant studies.
  • Seventy-six scholarly articles containing data on night waking in children with ASD were reviewed.

Main Results:

  • The review synthesized existing data on night waking in children with ASD.
  • An updated practice pathway was developed based on the literature findings.

Conclusions:

  • Night waking is a significant and often refractory sleep problem in children with ASD.
  • The updated pathway provides a framework for clinicians to effectively manage night wakings in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Keywords:
Autism spectrum disorderNight wakingsSleep initiationSleep maintenanceSleep problemsTreatment for insomnia

More Related Videos

Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder09:13

Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Published on: April 22, 2015

16.6K
Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood08:20

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood

Published on: October 2, 2019

12.0K

Related Concept Videos

Autism Spectrum Disorder01:19

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
163
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...
270
Modeling in Therapy01:26

Modeling in Therapy

Modeling, a key technique in therapy, uses observational learning to help clients acquire and practice new skills by watching therapists demonstrate desired behaviors. This approach, rooted in Albert Bandura's concept of vicarious learning, plays a significant role in therapeutic interventions for various psychological conditions, including social anxiety, ADHD, and depression.
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in...
127
Management of Insomnia01:19

Management of Insomnia

The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...
283
Restless Leg Syndrome and Night Terrors01:27

Restless Leg Syndrome and Night Terrors

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a neurological disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs due to uncomfortable sensations. These sensations typically occur during periods of rest or inactivity, particularly when lying down or sitting, and can severely disrupt sleep.
The exact cause of RLS is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate muscle movement. Imbalances in dopamine levels...
213
Nightmares and Night Terrors01:18

Nightmares and Night Terrors

Nightmares and night terrors represent two distinct types of sleep disturbances that differ in timing, characteristics, and the sleeper's recall of the event. Nightmares are vivid, disturbing dreams that usually awaken the sleeper from REM sleep, a stage of sleep where brain activity is high, and dreams are most frequent. Upon awakening, individuals often have detailed recollections of their nightmares, which can include themes of threats to survival, security, or self-esteem.
Nightmares...
128