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Functional assessment and treatment of sleeping problems with developmentally disabled children: six case studies
R Didden1, L M Curfs, S P Sikkema
1Department of Social Sciences, University of Nijmegen, Netherlands.
Insights
Sleep problems in young, developmentally disabled children can be treated effectively. Behavioral and medical interventions significantly reduced sleep issues, with lasting positive effects for children and families.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Sleep Medicine
- Developmental Disabilities
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Sleep disturbances are prevalent in young children with developmental disabilities, impacting child and parental well-being.
- Identifying underlying causes of sleep problems is crucial for effective intervention.
Observation:
- Functional assessments revealed sleep issues reinforced by parental attention in some cases.
- Undiagnosed seizure disorders were linked to nighttime crying in one child.
- Conditioned anxiety contributed to difficulties settling for sleep in another child.
Findings:
- Behavioral therapies (extinction, desensitization) and pharmacological treatments (anticonvulsants) were employed.
- All children experienced a substantial reduction in sleep problems following treatment.
- Treatment effects were maintained at follow-up.
Implications:
- Integrated behavioral and medical approaches can successfully manage sleep problems in this population.
- Addressing parental reinforcement and underlying medical conditions is key.
- Long-term maintenance of improved sleep suggests the efficacy of the interventions.
Abstract:
Sleeping problems are common among developmentally disabled children of young age and they may have adverse effects on the well-being of both child and parents. In the present study, results from functional assessment with four children suggested that sleeping problems were reinforced by parental attention whilst an undiagnosed seizure disorder was associated with nighttime crying with one child. Conditioned anxiety resulted in problems in settling to sleep with a sixth child. Behavioral (i.e., extinction, desensitization) and pharmacological (i.e., anticonvulsant) treatment resulted in a substantial reduction in sleeping problems with all children. Follow-up data indicate that effects were maintained.