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Sleep Problems in Young People with Autism: Applied Behavior Analysis Approaches

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Handbook of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder

Part of the book series: Autism and Child Psychopathology Series ((ACPS))

Abstract

Sleep disturbances are a significant problem for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and are associated with numerous detrimental impacts to the individual and their family. The etiology of ASD-related sleep problems is complex and likely multifactorial. Applied behavior analytic approaches are increasingly being utilized to identify environment-behavior contingencies underlying sleep disturbance in this population and inform targeted treatment. As well as describing the prevalence, type, and etiology of sleep problems in ASD, this chapter also describes a range of subjective (e.g., questionnaires, sleep diaries, and functional behavior assessment) and objective methods (e.g., actigraphy, videosomnography, and polysomnography) which can be used to assess pediatric sleep in autism. Additionally, the evidence-base for sleep interventions informed by applied behavior analysis principles are reviewed, these include sleep scheduling and antecedent modifications (e.g., sleep hygiene), consequence-based modifications (e.g., extinction), parent education programs, and teaching replacement skills (e.g., relaxation training). Overall, research indicates a range of empirically supported behavioral treatments can address the multifunctional phenomena implicated in sleep problems in young people with ASD, including alternatives to consequence-based modifications.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Health Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Jenna van Deurs, Laurie McLay & Karyn France

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  1. Jenna van Deurs
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  2. Laurie McLay
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  3. Karyn France
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Correspondence to Laurie McLay .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA

    Johnny L. Matson

  2. The Graduate Center and Queens College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA

    Peter Sturmey

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van Deurs, J., McLay, L., France, K. (2022). Sleep Problems in Young People with Autism: Applied Behavior Analysis Approaches. In: Matson, J.L., Sturmey, P. (eds) Handbook of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder. Autism and Child Psychopathology Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-88538-0_68

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