Sleep Problems in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder and in Their Caregivers

Abstract

Date Presented 4/7/2016 This descriptive study found relationships between the sleep problems in children with autism spectrum disorder and the sleep problems of their caregivers. Interventions to improve child sleep must consider the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to sleep quality in the parent–child dyad. Primary Author and Speaker: Maureen Russell Contributing Authors: Carol Baldwin, Stuart Quan, Darya McClain, Christopher Smith, Nicole Matthews

Sleep disturbances and physical health problems in caregivers of children with ASD

“…Sleep impaired caregivers are also more likely to report psychological distress (Richdale & Baglin, 2015), and care recipients of psychologically distressed caregivers find adjusting to their illness more challenging (Dockerty et al, 2000). Moreover, caregivers' and care recipients' sleep disturbances tend to be highly correlated (Russell et al, 2016), and greater sleep disturbances in children with ASD predict increased difficulties with daytime functioning (Lambert et al, 2016). Other studies also found quality of life for the child with DD, particularly in domains of social, emotional and physical functioning, to be closely related to the physical health of the care provider (Lovell, 2018).…”