Employment status is related to sleep problems in adults with autism spectrum disorder and no comorbid intellectual impairment

Autism ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 531-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma K Baker ◽  
Amanda L Richdale ◽  
Agnes Hazi

Both sleep problems and unemployment are common in adults with autism spectrum disorder; however, little research has explored this relationship in this population. This study aimed to explore factors that may be associated with the presence of an International Classification of Sleep Disorders–Third Edition defined sleep disorder in adults with autism spectrum disorder (IQ > 80). A total of 36 adults with autism spectrum disorder and 36 controls were included in the study. Participants completed a 14-day actigraphy assessment and questionnaire battery. Overall, 20 adults with autism spectrum disorder met the International Classification of Sleep Disorders–Third Edition criteria for insomnia and/or a circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder, while only 4 controls met criteria for these disorders. Adults with autism spectrum disorder and an International Classification of Sleep Disorders–Third Edition sleep disorder had higher scores on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and were more likely to be unemployed compared to adults with autism spectrum disorder and no sleep disorder. The findings demonstrate, for the first time, that sleep problems are associated with unemployment in adults with autism spectrum disorder. Further research exploring the direction of this effect is required; sleep problems that have developed during adolescence make attainment of employment for those with autism spectrum disorder difficult, or unemployment results in less restrictions required for optimal and appropriate sleep timing.

Autism ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 1010-1020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lena M McCue ◽  
Louise H Flick ◽  
Kimberly A Twyman ◽  
Hong Xian

Sleep disorders often co-occur with autism spectrum disorder. They further exacerbate autism spectrum disorder symptoms and interfere with children’s and parental quality of life. This study examines whether gastrointestinal dysfunctions increase the odds of having sleep disorders in 610 children with idiopathic autism spectrum disorder, aged 2–18 years, from the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange research program. The adjusted odds ratio for sleep disorder among those with gastrointestinal dysfunctions compared to those without was 1.74 (95% confidence interval: 1.22–2.48). In addition, the odds of having multiple sleep disorder symptoms among children with gastrointestinal dysfunctions, adjusted for age, gender, behavioral problems, bed wetting, current and past supplements, and current and past medications for autism spectrum disorder symptoms were 1.75 (95% confidence interval: 1.10–2.79) compared to children without gastrointestinal dysfunctions. Early detection and treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunctions in autism spectrum disorder may be means to reduce prevalence and severity of sleep problems and improve quality of life and developmental outcomes in this population.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 219
Author(s):  
Beata Rzepka-Migut ◽  
Justyna Paprocka

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are neurodevelopmental disorders with disturbed melatonin secretion profile and sleep problems. The growing incidence of ASD and ADHD inspires scientists to research the underlying causes of these conditions. The authors focused on two fundamental aspects, the first one being the presentation of the role of melatonin in ASD and ADHD and the second of the influence of melatonin treatment on sleep disorders. The authors present the use of melatonin both in the context of causal and symptomatic treatment and discuss melatonin supplementation: Dosage patterns, effectiveness, and safety. Sleep disorders may have a different clinical picture, so the assessment of exogenous melatonin efficacy should also refer to a specific group of symptoms. The review draws attention to the wide range of doses of melatonin used in supplementation and the need to introduce unified standards especially in the group of pediatric patients.


Autism ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 449-467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sven Bölte ◽  
Soheil Mahdi ◽  
Petrus J de Vries ◽  
Mats Granlund ◽  
John E. Robison ◽  
...  

Autism spectrum disorder is associated with diverse social, educational, and occupational challenges. To date, no standardized, internationally accepted tools exist to assess autism spectrum disorder–related functioning. World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health can serve as foundation for developing such tools. This study aimed to identify a comprehensive, a common brief, and three age-appropriate brief autism spectrum disorder Core Sets. Four international preparatory studies yielded in total 164 second-level International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health candidate categories. Based on this evidence, 20 international autism spectrum disorder experts applied an established iterative decision-making consensus process to select from the candidate categories the most relevant ones to constitute the autism spectrum disorder Core Sets. The consensus process generated 111 second-level International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health categories in the Comprehensive Core Set for autism spectrum disorder—one body structure, 20 body functions, 59 activities and participation categories, and 31 environmental factors. The Common Brief Core Set comprised 60 categories, while the age-appropriate core sets included 73 categories in the preschool version (0- to 5-year-old children), 81 in the school-age version (6- to 16-year-old children and adolescents), and 79 in the older adolescent and adult version (⩾17-year-old individuals). The autism spectrum disorder Core Sets mark a milestone toward the standardized assessment of autism spectrum disorder–related functioning in educational, administrative, clinical, and research settings.


Autism ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 869-901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Scott ◽  
Ben Milbourn ◽  
Marita Falkmer ◽  
Melissa Black ◽  
Sven Bӧlte ◽  
...  

The aim of this study is to holistically synthesise the extent and range of literature relating to the employment of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Database searches of Medline, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Scopus, ERIC, Web of Science and EMBASE were conducted. Studies describing adults with autism spectrum disorder employed in competitive, supported or sheltered employment were included. Content analysis was used to identify the strengths and abilities in the workplace of employees with autism spectrum disorder. Finally, meaningful concepts relating to employment interventions were extracted and linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Sets for autism spectrum disorder. The search identified 134 studies for inclusion with methodological quality ranging from limited to strong. Of these studies, only 36 evaluated employment interventions that were coded and linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, primarily focusing on modifying autism spectrum disorder characteristics for improved job performance, with little consideration of the impact of contextual factors on work participation. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Sets for autism spectrum disorder are a useful tool in holistically examining the employment literature for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. This review highlighted the key role that environmental factors play as barriers and facilitators in the employment of people with autism spectrum disorder and the critical need for interventions which target contextual factors if employment outcomes are to be improved.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 1490
Author(s):  
Sébastien Lalanne ◽  
Claire Fougerou-Leurent ◽  
George M. Anderson ◽  
Carmen M. Schroder ◽  
Tali Nir ◽  
...  

The role of melatonin has been extensively investigated in pathophysiological conditions, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Reduced melatonin secretion has been reported in ASD and led to many clinical trials using immediate-release and prolonged-release oral formulations of melatonin. However, melatonin’s effects in ASD and the choice of formulation type require further study. Therapeutic benefits of melatonin on sleep disorders in ASD were observed, notably on sleep latency and sleep quality. Importantly, melatonin may also have a role in improving autistic behavioral impairments. The objective of this article is to review factors influencing treatment response and possible side effects following melatonin administration. It appears that the effects of exposure to exogenous melatonin are dependent on age, sex, route and time of administration, formulation type, dose, and association with several substances (such as tobacco or contraceptive pills). In addition, no major melatonin-related adverse effect was described in typical development and ASD. In conclusion, melatonin represents currently a well-validated and tolerated treatment for sleep disorders in children and adolescents with ASD. A more thorough consideration of factors influencing melatonin pharmacokinetics could illuminate the best use of melatonin in this population. Future studies are required in ASD to explore further dose-effect relationships of melatonin on sleep problems and autistic behavioral impairments.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shufei Feng ◽  
Haoyu Huang ◽  
Na Wang ◽  
Yuanyuan Wei ◽  
Yun Liu ◽  
...  

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder with deficient social skills, communication deficits and repetitive behaviors. The prevalence of ASD has increased among children in recent years. Children with ASD experience more sleep problems, and sleep appears to be essential for the survival and integrity of most living organisms, especially for typical synaptic development and brain plasticity. Many methods have been used to assess sleep problems over past decades such as sleep diaries and parent-reported questionnaires, electroencephalography, actigraphy and videosomnography. A substantial number of rodent and non-human primate models of ASD have been generated. Many of these animal models exhibited sleep disorders at an early age. The aim of this review is to examine and discuss sleep disorders in children with ASD. Toward this aim, we evaluated the prevalence, clinical characteristics, phenotypic analyses, and pathophysiological brain mechanisms of ASD. We highlight the current state of animal models for ASD and explore their implications and prospects for investigating sleep disorders associated with ASD.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pura Ballester ◽  
María José Martínez ◽  
Auxiliadora Javaloyes ◽  
María-del-Mar Inda ◽  
Noemí Fernández ◽  
...  

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