Sleep-Time Issues and Autism

A good night’s rest isn't always a guarantee for people with autism, but it may be even more difficult to obtain than for those who aren't on the spectrum. Individuals affected by autism often have trouble falling and staying asleep. Additionally, living with autism can also cause certain symptoms themselves - like repetitive motions, social awkwardness and sensitivity to light and sound - all of which may interfere with the person's ability to sleep.

According to one of the largest studies on the incidence of sleep disorders in autism, approximately 80% of autistic toddlers had sleep disruptions. Sleep issues are twice as common in children with autism as they are in children without autism or with other developmental disorders.

Persons with autism are prone to insomnia: falling asleep takes them an average of 11 minutes longer than it does for non-autistic people, and many of them wake up often throughout the night. Some patients with the illness suffer from sleep apnea, which causes them to cease breathing repeatedly during the night.

People with Autism may spend less time in the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) state of sleep than people who are not autistic. When an individual's body transitions through REM sleep, they enter into a dream-like phase where they can more effectively learn new information and retain old information stored in their memory banks. Most people who are 'non-autistic' spend about 23% of their nightly rest in REM sleep but this is only 15% for those who have autism.

Evidence suggests that not getting enough sleep can make living with Autism more challenging. Kids who do not get enough sleep have greater difficulties in developing social skills and have a harder time making friends than others on the spectrum. Additionally, these children tend to score lower on tests of intelligence, however it is unclear whether these problems arise from poor sleep, contribute to it or both.

Many persons with autism also have anxiety disorders or ADHD, which impair their sleep. For example, they may suffer from constipation and become unable to sleep because of the painful cramps. Sensory sensitivity to light, sound, or touch can all contribute to sleep problems. Sleep issues may also be a sign of depression among autistic persons, though it's unclear whether depression is a cause or a result of sleep issues.

Fortunately, there are several ways parents can improve a child’s sleep. 

• Exercise: Staying fit through exercise helps with sleep. Children who take part in physical activity have proven to get the highest quality of sleep and require less overall sleep. It's best not to allow your child to exercise too close to bedtime as they can become hyperactive, making it harder for them to fall into a deep slumber.

• Sleep Schedule: You should have roughly the same amount of sleep each night, with no more than two hours difference between your weekday and weekend schedule.

• Bedtime routine: It’s important that you make sure your child gets enough sleep during the day so make sure they go to sleep at a reasonable hour. It’s also crucial that you know their bedtime routine as to repeat it every night and this means avoiding technology in their room (like the television, computer or video games) because it could stimulate their brain making it harder for them to fall asleep.

• Sleep hygiene: the bedroom should ideally be dark, quiet and cool. As children with autism may be particularly sensitive to noises and/or have sensory issues, the environment can benefit from the use of soundproofing materials and acoustical panels, which are available cheaply online or in home improvement centers, to enhance a child's sense of security.

It is important to address any medical or emotional issues that might disrupt your child’s health and sleep. Sometimes medications and emotional issues can cause insomnia. If this is the case, counseling, therapy, behavior modification and medication may be required to get your child falling asleep more readily. Some young children have trouble sleeping due to a specific disorder such as sleepwalking or restlessness that may simply require behavioral changes, while others require additional help like testimony from a sleep specialist.