Sleep in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to review the state of sleep science in children with ASD, propose reasons for high insomnia prevalence, and present a practice pathway for improving sleep, including the use of melatonin.
Results Summary
The study found that melatonin, alongside sleep education, environmental changes, and behavioral interventions, has strong evidence for promoting sleep in children with ASD. The practice pathway developed by the ATN Sleep Committee integrates these approaches.
Population
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and chronic insomnia.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
sleep education | increase | sleep | children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) | - | strongest evidence on promoting sleep | #1 |
environmental changes | increase | sleep | children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) | - | strongest evidence on promoting sleep | #2 |
behavioral interventions | increase | sleep | children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) | - | strongest evidence on promoting sleep | #3 |
exogenous melatonin | increase | sleep | children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) | - | strongest evidence on promoting sleep | #4 |
The purposes of this paper are to provide an overview of the state of the science of sleep in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), present hypotheses for the high prevalence of insomnia in children with ASD, and present a practice pathway for promoting optimal sleep. Approximately two thirds of children with ASD have chronic insomnia, and to date, the strongest evidence on promoting sleep is for sleep education, environmental changes, behavioral interventions, and exogenous melatonin. The Sleep Committee of the Autism Treatment Network (ATN) developed a practice pathway, based on expert consensus, to capture best practices for screening, identification, and treatment for sleep problems in ASD in 2012. An exemplar case is presented to integrate key constructs of the practice pathway and address arousal and sensory dysregulation in a child with ASD and anxiety disorder. This paper concludes with next steps for dissemination of the practice pathway and future directions for research of sleep problems in ASD.