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Sleep Problems and Their Correlates in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Indian Study

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders volume 49, pages 1169–1181 (2019)Cite this article

Abstract

Sleep problems were studied in both typically developing (TD) children and those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children. Factors associated with these problems were also studied in children with ASD. Seventy-three children with ASD and their age and sex matched TD controls in age group of 3–12 years were enrolled in the study. Higher sleep problems were found in children with ASD than TD children. Most common sleep problem reported in children with ASD was Sleep Wake Transition Disorders, followed by Disorder of Initiation and Maintenance; while in TD controls, it was Sleep Breathing Disorders. Apart from severity of Autism; hyperactivity, sensory issues and poor motor skills were significantly associated with sleep problems, which may be important targets for intervention in children with sleep problems.

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Affiliations

  1. Maulana Azad Medical College, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New delhi, 110002, India

    Vernika Tyagi, Monica Juneja & Rahul Jain

Authors
  1. Vernika Tyagi
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  2. Monica Juneja
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  3. Rahul Jain
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Contributions

MJ planned the study, provided intellectual output and helped in writing the manuscript. RJ provided intellectual output and helped in writing the manuscript. VT was involved in data collection and drafting of manuscript.

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Correspondence to Vernika Tyagi.

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The authors declare that none of the authors have any conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

The study was ethically approved by the ethical committee of the university.

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Informed consent was taken from parents of all children who participated in the study.

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Tyagi, V., Juneja, M. & Jain, R. Sleep Problems and Their Correlates in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Indian Study. J Autism Dev Disord 49, 1169–1181 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3820-6

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Keywords

  • Autism spectrum disorders
  • Typically developing children
  • Sleep problems
  • Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children