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Sleep problems in children with autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A comparative
Carmen Berenguer1, Inmaculada Baixauli2, Eva Rosa3
1Departamento de Psicología evolutiva y de la educación, Universitat de València, València, Spain.
Insights
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) experience more sleep problems than typically developing children. Sleep issues significantly impact communication skills in these groups.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Pediatric Sleep Medicine
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Sleep disturbances are common in children with neurodevelopmental disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
- Understanding the specific sleep challenges and their impact on other developmental areas is crucial for effective intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare sleep problems in children with ASD (without intellectual disabilities), ADHD, and typically developing (TD) children.
- To analyze how sleep problems and symptom severity affect communication skills in these groups.
- To investigate the mediating role of sleep problems in the relationship between symptoms and communication.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 122 children aged 7-12 years, divided into three groups: TD (n=32), ASD (n=47), and ADHD (n=43).
- Participants were matched for age and intelligence.
- Parent-reported questionnaires assessed sleep disturbances and communication skills.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in sleep disorders were found between clinical groups (ASD, ADHD) and the TD group.
- Children with ADHD exhibited more sleep breathing disorders, hyperhidrosis, and overall sleep problems compared to ASD and TD groups.
- Sleep problems had a greater predictive impact on communication difficulties in the ADHD group than in the ASD group.
- Mediation analysis revealed that sleep problems partially mediate the link between symptoms and communication in both ASD and ADHD groups.
Conclusions:
- Sleep disturbances are a significant concern in children with ASD and ADHD, differing in type and prevalence compared to typically developing children.
- Sleep problems play a partial mediating role in the relationship between core symptoms and communication deficits in both ASD and ADHD.
- Clinical assessment and intervention for ASD and ADHD should incorporate evaluation and management of sleep disorders due to their impact on communication skills.
Abstract:
Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent among children with neurodevelopmental disorders, like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hiperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The first objective of this study is to examine the differences in sleep problems between a group of children with ASD without intellectual disabilities, a group with ADHD and a typically developing (TD) group. A second objective is aimed at analyzing the effects of sleep problems and symptom severity on their communication skills. Participants were 122 children between 7 and 12 years old distributed in three groups: 32 TD children, 47 children with ASD and 43 children with ADHD, matched on age and intelligence. Parents completed different questionnaires that measured sleep disturbances and communication skills. Findings show significant differences between the clinical groups and the TD group in most types of sleep disorders. Moreover, the group with ADHD showed significantly more sleep breathing disorders and hyperhidrosis in comparison with ASD and TD, as well as more total sleep problems. In contrast to ASD, the predictive power of sleep problems on communication difficulties was greater in the group with ADHD. The results of the mediation analysis indicate that in both groups, sleep problems partially mediate the relationship between symptoms and communication. This investigation highlights the need of considering sleep disorders when assessing communication skills in ASD and ADHD, given its indirect influence in this domain. Understanding the sleep dysfunctions of both conditions and their repercussions is crucial to develop adjusted interventions.
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