Sleep disturbances in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

The book summarises a study conducted to assess the parent related sleep disturbances in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and to compare it with the typically developing children (TYD). The participants of the study were parents of 30 children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD who had attended IP/OP services in NIMHANS Bengaluru and parents of 30 typically developing children studying at various schools in and around Bengaluru. The participants were frequency matched based on the age of their children and their socio-economic background. Severity of ASD was measured using Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire was administered. A range of other scales were also administered for understanding the behavioural problems in children with ASD. The data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Children with ASD had more sleep disturbances than TYD. Sleep problems led to behavioural issues such as hyperactivity. The sleep disturbances are positively correlated to the severity of autism.