An investigation of sleep patterns in adolescents with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder compared with typically developing adolescents. (11th March 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baker, Emma; Richdale, Amanda; Short, Michelle; Gradisar, Michael
• Is Part Of: Developmental neurorehabilitation. Volume 16:Number 3(2013:Jun.)
• Page Start: 155
• Page End: 165
• Publication Date: 2013-03-11
• Subjects: Adolescence -- autism -- daytime sleepiness -- insomnia -- sleep; Children with disabilities -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Developmentally disabled children -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; 615.542
• DOI: 10.3109/17518423.2013.765518
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-8423

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To investigate the sleep patterns and disturbances in a pure sample of adolescents with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD). Method: Adolescents completed a sleep questionnaire battery and a 7 d sleep diary. Actigraphic data were collected from a sub-sample of participants (55%) with HFASD and all typically developing (TD) adolescents. Results: Adolescents with HFASD were three times more likely to report a sleep problem than their TD peers (46.2% vs. 14.8%). Adolescents with HFASD had decreased sleep efficiency (diary) ( p = 0.04, η 2 = 0.10), and more fatigue ( p = 0.002, η 2 = 0.18) compared with TD adolescents. While TD adolescents generally experienced one symptom of insomnia, adolescents with HFASD were likely to experience two or three symptoms of insomnia ( p = 0.02, V = 0.36). Conclusion: The findings suggest that adolescents with HFASD show a continuation of the maladaptive sleep patterns as seen in children with an autism spectrum disorder and these sleep disturbances are associated with increased daytime sleepiness.