Research summaries for autism therapy: sleep

definition of sleep: Sleep is a natural and recurring altered state of consciousness with relatively little movement or sensory activity. It is a time of growth and rejuvenation of the immune, nervous, skeletal, and muscle systems. Many people with autism have altered sleep patterns whereby they sleep less than the neurotypical population.
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Variables Related to Sleep Problems in Children with Autism, Summarized Sep 16, 2010

Children with autism often have sleep problems, and therapies such as behavior therapy (applied behavior analysis [ABA]) and melatonin may be helpful in treating these sleep problems.

The goals of this study were to see what types of children with autism also have sleep problems and to see how often parents of children with autism reported sleep problems. More than half of children with autism have parents who reported sleep problems. The study showed that many children with autism have sleep problems and that sleep problems are worse in children with more severe autism. Children who were on drugs (melatonin, clonidine, and diphenhydramine) to treat sleep problems had greater sleep problems than children who did not seek treatment. Read more...

Melatonin in the Treatment of Chronic Sleep Disorders in Adults with Autism: A Retrospective Study, Summarized Aug 5, 2010

Melatonin may be a safe and effective treatment for sleep disorders in adults with autism.

Sleep problems are common during the childhood of people with autism and often persist as the children age into adults. Some research suggests that these sleep problems are the result of people with autism not having enough melatonin in their body. This retrospective study describes the use of melatonin (3-9 mg each evening) to treat sleep problems in six adults with autism. The authors found that melatonin helped to both induce and maintain sleep. The authors did not observe any side effects in their patients.

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Sleep Patterns in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Summarized Feb 23, 2010

Behavioral therapy and melatonin may both be helpful children with autism who have sleep problems.

This review article describes the sleep problems that are common in children with autism. The first line treatment in children with autism is to improve sleep hygiene. After that, behavioral treatment such as teaching new sleep behavior in small steps may be helpful. While there are no drugs approved for the treatment of sleep problems in children, the supplement melatonin may be helpful. Some scientists believe that melatonin therapy helps because children with autism do not make enough melatonin on their own.

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Parent-based Sleep Education Workshops in Autism, Summarized Jan 27, 2010

Educating parents about behavioral sleep strategies may improve sleep habits in their children with autism.

This study looked at whether a parent education program about sleep habits might help parents to create better habits at home. Parents of 20 children with autism (3 to 10 years old) participated in the study. Parents attended three 2-hour workshops led by 2 physicians. Parents learned about setting good daytime, bedtime, and nighttime routines.... Read more...

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