Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 10, 2026

Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
09:13

Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Published on: April 22, 2015

17.0K

Prevalence of OSA Risk and Bruxism in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Anna Alessandri-Bonetti1,2, Federica Guglielmi1,2, Andrea Faustini1,3

  • 1Institute of Dental Clinic, A. Gemelli University Policlinic IRCCS, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.

Autism Research : Official Journal of the International Society for Autism Research
|November 20, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a higher risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition linked to behavioral symptoms. Bruxism prevalence did not differ between ASD patients and healthy controls in this study.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Background:

  • Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently experience sleep disturbances, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
  • Bruxism, or teeth grinding, has been recently associated with OSA, warranting further investigation in pediatric populations.
  • Understanding the prevalence of OSA risk and bruxism in children with ASD is crucial for developing targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk in pediatric patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
  • To compare the prevalence of bruxism in children with ASD versus healthy controls.
  • To investigate the association between OSA risk, bruxism, body mass index (BMI), and behavioral symptoms in pediatric ASD patients.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the Sleep-Related Breathing Disorder scale of the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (SRBD-PSQ) to screen 58 pediatric ASD patients and 58 healthy controls for OSA risk and bruxism.
  • Employed chi-square tests for initial comparisons between groups.
  • Conducted ANCOVA and logistic regression analyses to control for body mass index (BMI) and behavioral symptoms.

Main Results:

  • A significantly higher percentage of ASD patients (60.3%) exhibited increased OSA risk compared to controls (13.8%) (p < 0.001).
  • After adjusting for BMI, ASD patients showed substantially higher odds of OSA risk (OR = 9.6).
  • The association between ASD and OSA risk diminished after controlling for behavioral symptoms (p < 0.862), suggesting behavioral factors play a key role. No significant differences in awake or sleep bruxism were observed between groups.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric patients with ASD are at a heightened risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), with behavioral symptoms appearing to be a significant contributing factor.
  • Self-reported bruxism rates did not significantly differ between children with ASD and healthy controls.
  • Further research into the interplay of behavioral symptoms and sleep disorders in ASD is warranted.

Keywords:
autism spectrum disorderawake bruxismobstructive sleep apneasleep bruxismvalidated questionnaires

More Related Videos

A Familiarization Protocol Facilitates the Participation of Children with ASD in Electrophysiological Research08:42

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

Published on: July 31, 2017

8.7K
Using the Visual World Paradigm to Study Sentence Comprehension in Mandarin-Speaking Children with Autism06:15

Using the Visual World Paradigm to Study Sentence Comprehension in Mandarin-Speaking Children with Autism

Published on: October 3, 2018

8.1K

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.
923
Oppositional Defiant Disorder01:30

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

A persistent pattern of angry or irritable mood, defiant behavior, or vindictiveness characterizes Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Symptoms must occur over at least six months, involve interactions with individuals beyond siblings, and meet specific diagnostic criteria to be clinically significant. The disorder affects emotional regulation, social interactions, and behavior, often manifesting early in life and influencing long-term development and functioning.
Diagnostic Criteria and...
591
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...
366
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
722
Sleep Apnea01:21

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...
456
Operant Conditioning Intervention01:24

Operant Conditioning Intervention

Operant conditioning serves as a foundational principle in therapeutic interventions aimed at modifying maladaptive behaviors. Central to this approach is the notion that behaviors, both adaptive and maladaptive, are learned through reinforcement. By analyzing the environmental factors that reinforce problematic behaviors, clinicians can design interventions to weaken these reinforcements and replace maladaptive behaviors with healthier alternatives.
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
439