Improving Sleep Quality Among Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Sensory Overresponsivity

Sleep disturbance and executive dysfunction have been widely reported in children with autism spectrum disorder. While the positive impacts of physical activity on sleep quality and cognition are documented in children with typical development, similar studies in children with autism spectrum disorder are scarce. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of physical activity on sleep quality and cognition in children with autism spectrum disorder. A total of 40 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (mean age = 9.95 years) were randomly assigned into two groups: physical activity intervention and control. Four sleep parameters (sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency, sleep duration, and wake after sleep onset) and two executive functions (inhibition control and working memory) were assessed. Results revealed a significant improvement in sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency, and sleep duration in the intervention group but not in the control group during weekdays. Moreover, a significant improvement in inhibitory control was shown in the intervention group but not in the control group. No significant improvement in working memory capacity was documented in either group ( ps > 0.05). Our findings highlight the value of physical activity in improving sleep quality and cognition among children with autism spectrum disorder, but specific physical activity may be required to benefit individual executive functions.

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Weighted Blankets and Sleep Quality in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Single-Subject Design

Children ◽

10.3390/children8010010 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 10

Author(s):

Bryan M. Gee ◽

Kimberly Lloyd ◽

Jesse Sutton ◽

Tyler McOmber

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Visual Analysis ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Single Subject ◽

Single Subject Design ◽

Study Objective ◽

Subject Design

The purpose of the study was to explore the efficacy of weighted blanket applications and sleep quality in children with autism spectrum disorder and behavioral manifestations of sensory processing deficits. Two 4-year-old participants diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who also experienced sleep disturbances took part in a single-subject design study. Objective sleep measures and caregiver surveys were tracked for a baseline period of eight days, followed by a 14-day weighted blanket intervention and a seven-day withdrawal phase. Caregiver reports and objective data were evaluated using visual analysis and the percentage of non-overlapping data methods. The results suggest minimal changes in sleep patterns as a result of the weighted blanket intervention. The findings based on using a weighted blanket intervention were enhanced morning mood after night use and a significantly decreased time to fall asleep for participants, though they were not strong enough to recommend for clinical use. Future directions include single-subject and cohort-designed studies exploring the efficacy of weighted blankets with increasing sleep quality among children with autism.

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Effect of Daily Physical Activity on Sleep Characteristics in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Sports ◽

10.3390/sports9070091 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 91

Author(s):

Thai Duy Nguyen ◽

Michel Guinot ◽

Véronique-Aurélie Bricout

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Sleep Problems ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Large Individual ◽

Sedentary Behaviors ◽

Children With Asd

Background. Sleep problems have been reported in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). One of the methods proposed to improve sleep characteristics is based on physical activity (PA). Objective. To assess characteristics of sleep and the effect of PA level on sleep quality in children with ASD compared to controls. Methods. Fifty boys with ASD (ASD; 10.8 ± 2.6 years) and 18 controls (CONT, 10.1 ± 2.2 years) wore an accelerometer device for five consecutive days to obtain measures of activity and sleep characteristics. Results. Some significant differences were reported between ASD and CONT groups. Wake-up time resistance was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in ASD. Total time for PA, and daily steps number were significantly lower in the ASD group (p < 0.05). Time for sedentary behavior was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the ASD group. Using a principal component analysis and an agglomerative hierarchical analysis, we observed three clusters. Two showed the same poor-quality indices of sleep but two opposing profiles of PA, either an insufficient PA volume (cluster 1, Total time PA = 75.1 min; Daily steps: 7704) or an important PA volume (cluster 3, Total time PA = 222.1 min; Daily steps: 17,164). Cluster 2 was characterized by moderate participation in PA and children with the best sleep indices (Total time PA = 166.8 min; Daily steps: 12,718). Conclusion. The dose–response effect of exercise on sleep may indicate large individual differences but the present findings are important to prevent sedentary behaviors or to correct over-activity that could be detrimental to the sleep quality in children with ASD.

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Sleep quality, functional skills, and communication in preschool-aged children with autism spectrum disorder

Research in Developmental Disabilities ◽

10.1016/j.ridd.2021.104024 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 116 ◽

pp. 104024

Author(s):

Dionísia Aparecida Cusin Lamônica ◽

Celia Maria Giacheti ◽

Michele Dias Hayssi Haduo ◽

Maria Jaquelini Dias dos Santos ◽

Nathani Cristina da Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Functional Skills ◽

Preschool Aged Children

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Parental sleep quality and behavior problems of children with autism

Autism ◽

10.1177/1362361316673570 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 236-244 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Iulia Mihaila ◽

Sigan L Hartley

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Behavior Problems ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Poor Sleep ◽

Night Sleep ◽

Poor Sleep Quality ◽

Previous Night

This study explored the impact of parental sleep quality on the experience of behavior problems by children with autism spectrum disorder. A 14-day daily diary was used in a sample of 176 mother–father couples. Dyadic multilevel models were conducted to examine the between-person and within-person effects of previous-night sleep quality on parents’ rating of level of behavior problems by the child with autism spectrum disorder and level of positive and negative affect. Results indicated that persistently poor sleep quality was associated with between-person differences in initial rating of level of behavior problems by the child with autism spectrum disorder for mothers. At a within-person level, previous-night sleep quality moderated the association between rating of level of behavior problems by the child with autism spectrum disorder and level of positive and negative affect in fathers. Child-related stressors exerted less influence on fathers’ affect following a day with poor sleep quality. Interventions aimed at enhancing sleep quality in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder may have important effects on parental psychological well-being.

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Efficacy of Weighted Blankets for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Overresponsivity, and Sleep Disturbance

American Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.5014/ajot.2017.71s1-po4116 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 71 (4_Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 7111515242p1 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Bryan Gee ◽

Tyler McOmber ◽

Jesse Sutton ◽

Kimberly Lloyd

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Sleep Disturbance ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Sensory Overresponsivity

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Instruction Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication Supports: Description of Current Practices by Speech-Language Pathologists Who Work With Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology ◽

10.1044/2019_ajslp-19-00045 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 586-596 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kaitlyn A. Clarke ◽

Diane L. Williams

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽

Communication Systems ◽

Diagnostic Category ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Alternative Communication ◽

Speech Language Pathologists ◽

Processing Differences

Purpose The aim of this research study was to examine common practices of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who work with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with respect to whether or not SLPs consider processing differences in ASD or the effects of input during their instruction. Method Following a qualitative research method, how SLPs instruct and present augmentative and alternative communication systems to individuals with ASD, their rationale for method selection, and their perception of the efficacy of selected interventions were probed. Semistructured interviews were conducted as part of an in-depth case report with content analysis. Results Based on completed interviews, 4 primary themes were identified: (a) instructional method , (b) input provided , (c) decision-making process , and (d) perceived efficacy of treatment . Additionally, one secondary theme, training and education received , was identified . Conclusions Clinicians reported making decisions based on the needs of the child; however, they also reported making decisions based on the diagnostic category that characterized the child (i.e., ASD). The use of modeling when teaching augmentative and alternative communication to individuals with ASD emerged as a theme, but variations in the method of modeling were noted. SLPs did not report regularly considering processing differences in ASD, nor did they consider the effects of input during instruction.

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