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Information disseminated by Autism South Africa is for information purposes only.
The onus rests with the reader to explore and investigate the relevant information and alternatives for each individual.
Information sent out does not imply that Autism South Africa underwrites or endorses any particular therapy, intervention, method or medication. Autism South Africa assumes no responsibility for the use made of any information provided herein.
Sleep in the World of Autism
by David B. Harrell, PhD, FRIPH; Kimberly A. Schreck, PhD, BCBA; and Amanda Richdale, PhD, MAPS
Insight into the sleep problems associated with autism.
Autism has been researched for more than 60 years, but until recently little focus has been placed upon the sleep problems often associated with it. Even within the sleep community, few have studied the relationship of sleep and autism. Much greater attention in our field has to be focused on autism because of the impact of sleep problems on the individual and others who typically have reported the most significant impacts, such as caregivers and the household.1 With a greater focus on autism and the sleep problems associated with the
Sleep Disorders in Autism – Symptoms and Treatments
Sleep is essential for our body and mind to replenish and rejuvenate in order to function normally. Lack of sleep can develop multiple disorders such as, restlessness, irritability, appetite change, aggressiveness, depression, fatigue and the inability to focus on any particular subject.
Autism is a neurological disorder, which affects the brain directly, thus changing the pattern of behavior completely. Autism occurs in children in the first years of life and it is extremely important to diagnose it as soon as possible to begin treatment. The cause of autism is believed to be a defective structure in the brain, which can be derived from genetics, heredity and/or other medical
Unusual sleep patterns
A number of the children with autism experience unusual patterns of sleep. Problems with sleep are common in children and adolescents with autism at all levels of cognitive functioning. Children with autism take longer to fall asleep, go to bed later, wake more often in the night, awaken earlier in the morning, and get less sleep overall than typically developing children. Some children with autism display a non-24-hour sleep-wake pattern. These features are an additional challenge for caretakers. Sleep difficulties is linked to family distress and may have significant results on daytime functioning and quality of life for an autistic child.
In some cases, parents report that sleep problems are a continuous, rather than random, problem. Sleep problems usually begin in the first or second year of life and continue. Parents describe problems such as bedtime resistance,
bedtime anxiety, delayed sleep onset, nighttime awakenings, nightmares, night terrors, sleepwalking, snoring,
bed-wetting, early morning awakenings,
Question: Do Children with Autism Sleep Less Than Their Typical Peers?
Do children with autism spectrum disorders have more sleep issues than typically developing children?
Answer: The short answer to this question is -- yes! Several studies support parents' statements that their children with autism have more serious sleep issues than do typically developing children.
According to one Australian study: "The results showed high prevalence of sleep problems with significantly more problems reported in the autism and Asperger groups (Typical children = 50%, autism = 73%, Asperger syndrome = 73%), with no significant differences between groups on severity or type of sleep problem. Children with Asperger syndrome were significantly more likely to be sluggish and disoriented after waking... [In conclusion], children with AD may have more symptoms of sleep disturbance, and different types of sleep problems than children with autism."