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Abstract

Sleep disturbances are regarded as a common clinical feature in autistic children. This concept is based primarily on informal observations or studies conducted with questionnaires. In this study we compared data obtained by questionnaires to that obtained with actigraphy. Among 22 autistic children, 12 were reported as having sleep problems and 8 patients completed 72 hours actigraphy. While the employment of questionnaires disclosed that autistic children had an earlier morning awakening time and multiple and early night arousals, actigraphic monitoring showed that with the exception of an earlier morning arousal time (p = .045), sleep patterns of autistic children were similar to that of normal children. Parental oversensitivity to sleep disturbances of the autistic children may explain this phenomenon.

Behavioral parent training to address sleep disturbances in young children with autism spectrum disorder: a pilot trial

“…A small to medium effect size (.36) for TST was observed at week 8. The disparate findings between parent-report questionnaires and actigraphy have been reported elsewhere [14,15,33,64]. Again there may be several explanations for these discrepancies.…”

“…Actigraphy is a reliable objective method for measuring sleep-wake patterns, including timing, continuity, and sleep duration, which can be used in the home. Although actigraphy data and parent-completed questionnaires have not always been consistent, actigraphy data have reflected sleep disturbances in children with ASD, particularly when compared to their typically developing counterparts [13-15]. …”

Six-Month Sleep–Wake Organization and Stability in Preschool-Age Children With Autism, Developmental Delay, and Typical Development

“…However, our study is not the first study to report relatively comparable sleep in children with ASD when compared to controls (Elia et al, 2000; Miano et al, 2007). Parents of children with AUT tend to report elevated rates of sleep problems, but assessment of concurrent sleep behaviors do not consistently complement parental concerns (Goodlin-Jones et al, 2009; Hering, Epstein, Elroy, Iancu, & Zelnik, 1999; Miano et al, 2007). …”

The relationship between sleep and behavior in autism spectrum disorder (ASD): a review

“…[ 30 ] PSG and CSHQ Children with regressive ASD ( n = 18) had greater bedtime resistance, sleep-onset latency, and less TST than controls Sivertsen et al [ 31 ] Parent report Prevalence of chronic insomnia was ten times higher in children with ASD symptoms compared to controls Baker et al [ 32 ] Actigraphy and SD Adolescents with ASD were three times more likely to have symptoms of insomnia than their TYP peers Parasomnias Undesirable physical experiences which occur within sleep or during arousal from sleep. Includes nightmares, wake screaming, complex movements, dreams, and automatic nervous system activity Hering et al [ 33 ] Actigraphy and SQ 54% of children with ASD had multiple and early night arousals Doo et al [ 34 ] SQ, CSHQ, and actigraphy All reported evidence of higher rates of parasomnias in children with ASD compared to comparison groups Schreck et al [ 35 ] Liu et al [ 20 ] Goldman et al . [ 36 ] CSHQ Younger children with ASD had more parasomnias than older children Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders Alterations of the circadian time-keeping system, its entrainment mechanisms, or misalignment of the endogenous circadian rhythm and the external environment.…”