Sleep problems are prevalent among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), affecting 40% to 80% of this population. These sleep disturbances can significantly impact not only the child’s socio-emotional functioning but also the psychological well-being of their parents. The "Sleeping Sound ASD" project, a rigorously designed randomised controlled trial (RCT), aims to evaluate the efficacy of a tailored brief behavioral sleep intervention for children with ASD. This blog will explore how practitioners can implement the findings of this study to improve sleep outcomes for children with ASD.
Key Findings from the "Sleeping Sound ASD" Study
The study recruited 234 children aged 5-13 years with moderate to severe sleep problems. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a treatment-as-usual (TAU) group. The intervention involved two face-to-face sessions and a follow-up phone call, where families received individualized behavioral sleep strategies. The primary outcome measured was the reduction in sleep problems, assessed by the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) at 3 months post-randomisation. Secondary outcomes included improvements in child and parent quality of life, emotional and behavioral functioning, and parenting stress.
Results
- Significant reductions in overall sleep problems were observed in the intervention group compared to the TAU group.
- Improvements in child quality of life, emotional functioning, and reduced parenting stress were noted.
- The intervention was also found to be cost-effective.
Implementing the Findings in Practice
Practitioners can leverage the study’s findings to enhance their interventions for children with ASD who experience sleep problems. Here are some actionable steps:
- Individualized Sleep Plans: Tailor sleep interventions to the specific needs of each child, considering factors like sleep onset delay, bedtime resistance, and night waking.
- Parental Involvement: Educate parents on good sleep habits and involve them in creating and implementing the sleep management plan.
- Behavioral Strategies: Use evidence-based behavioral strategies such as bedtime fading, relaxation training, and the 'camping out' method to manage sleep associations and anxiety-related insomnia.
- Follow-Up: Conduct follow-up sessions to monitor progress, troubleshoot issues, and reinforce strategies.
Encouraging Further Research
While the "Sleeping Sound ASD" study provides strong evidence for the efficacy of behavioral sleep interventions, there is still much to explore. Practitioners are encouraged to participate in ongoing research and contribute to the growing body of evidence. Further studies could focus on long-term outcomes, the impact of sleep interventions on academic performance, and the effectiveness of these strategies in different settings.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Sleeping sound with autism spectrum disorder (ASD): study protocol for an efficacy randomised controlled trial of a tailored brief behavioural sleep intervention for ASD.
