"Sleep problems are highly prevalent in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with evidence suggesting that majority of these children will experience a sleep problem at some point. Sleep problems in ASD are often chronic, and are associated with more severe child behaviour difficulties, anxiety, and ADHD symptoms. Mothers of children with sleep problems experience disturbed sleep, more stress and poorer psychological well being. Most commonly parents report their children to have difficulties with settling andnight waking which are often amenable to behavioural treatment or melatonin. Nevertheless other sleep issues such as short night sleep, early waking, extended periods of night waking, early waking and circadian sleep disturbances are also reported and can be difficult to treat. While there is now a considerable body of evidence to support that those with ASD can experience significant and sometimes debilitating sleep difficulties, there is little research on the aetiology, prevention or intervention. This book brings together current research and clinical experience by experts from North America, UK, Europe and Australasia regarding the behavioural and medical factors that might underlie these prevalent sleep difficulties, as well as both medical and behavioural approaches to treatment. The book has three major section Aetiological factors and Diagnosis which covers the impacts of ASD on sleep, comorbid medical and psychiatric conditions, and diagnostic tools; Impact of Sleep Problems covering both the child and their family; and Treatment, including pharmacological and behavioural treatments, and the usefulness or otherwise of alternative treatments. This book will be useful for clinicians and researchers with an interest in ASD and paediatric sleep"--
Increasingly, the importance of sleep is recognized as being on a par with diet and exercise as a key to good health and wellbeing; adequate, restful sleep is key to a healthy lifestyle. Sleep deprivation is associated with poor physical and mental health, including obesity, metabolic disturbances such as diabetes, inflammation, clinical depression, and cognitive impairments. In our youth, inadequate sleep impairs academic performance, is associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder-type symptoms and behaviors, and may exacerbate aggressive, disruptive behavior. Youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience sleep disturbances at rates much higher than their peers in the general population, particularly insomnia. The resultant sleep deprivation in youth with ASD is associated with daytime behavior problems and parental stress. Fortunately, researchers and clinicians now recognize that sleep problems and ASD are closely linked. Since 2000, the number of research studies regarding this link has increased about 20-fold, and we have become aware that poor sleep can be a lifespan issue for individuals with ASD. Given this explosion in research, it is time for a textbook that synthesizes current knowledge, and is accessible to clinicians, researchers, educators, and administrators alike. This book fills that gap.
