Saturday, October 06, 2012

Sleep Disorders and Autism - Great Review


Prevalence of sleep-wake problems

Parental surveys indicate a 50-80% prevalence of sleep problems in children with autism spectrum disorder, compared with a 9-50% prevalence rate in age-matched, typically developing subjects 

 The degree of cognitive impairment likely does not influence the prevalence of sleep problems in autism spectrum disorder, because they are observed in those who are severely mentally handicapped as well as those who are high functioning, with intelligence quotients greater than 70 [3]

An association between severity of cognitive difficulties and sleep problems was also not evident in a population-based survey of 2 to 5-year-olds with autism spectrum disorder [7].

 Parental-reported sleep characteristics were studied in 529 children, and at least one sleep problem was detected in 53% of the population with autism spectrum disorder, in 46% of those who were developmentally delayed, and in 32% of typically developing children. 

An exploratory factor analysis yielded marginally higher factor scores for sleep-onset problems and night awakenings for children with autism spectrum disorder, in comparison to those with developmental delay or typical development.
Sleep problems also do not seem to be influenced by autism spectrum disorder subtype.

In a study involving 66 parents of typically developing children, 53 parents of children with autism, and 52 parents of children with Asperger disorder, Polimeni et al. reported concerns regarding sleep problems in 50% of typically developing children, in 73% with autism, and in 73% with Asperger disorder

No comments: