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Caregiver-reported sleep problems and suicidality in autistic youth: findings from a sleep diary study

Hangsel Sanguino1,2, Chris A Clark1,2, Kailyn M Turner1,2

  • 1Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.

Frontiers in Psychiatry
|May 20, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Sleep problems like daytime sleepiness and poor sleep quality are linked to suicidality in Autistic youth. Addressing these sleep issues may help prevent suicide in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Sleep problems are prevalent in Autistic youth (40-80%) and linked to elevated suicide risk.
  • Autistic youth exhibit a suicide risk 3.5 times higher than the general population, emerging by age 10.
  • The association between sleep difficulties and suicidality in Autistic youth remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between sleep problems and suicidality in Autistic youth.
  • To examine specific sleep parameters (e.g., sleep quality, daytime sleepiness) and their association with suicidal ideation and behavior.
  • To utilize caregiver reports and daily sleep diaries for comprehensive data collection.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional online survey was administered to 51 caregivers of Autistic youth (aged 7-26).
  • Participants completed the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire and a modified Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS).
  • Caregivers maintained daily sleep diaries for their child over 7 days.

Main Results:

  • 88% of caregivers reported sleep problems in their Autistic youth.
  • 64.7% of youth exhibited some level of suicidal behavior.
  • Daytime sleepiness and poor sleep quality were significantly associated with increased suicidal ideation.
  • Daytime sleepiness correlated with both lifetime and recent suicidality scores.

Conclusions:

  • Daytime sleepiness and sleep quality are significant factors contributing to suicidality in Autistic youth.
  • These findings highlight the critical sleep-suicide connection in this population.
  • Targeted sleep interventions may offer novel strategies for suicide prevention in Autistic individuals.
Abstract

Keywords:
autismsleep problemssuicidalityyoung adultyouth

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