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Sleep Disturbances Increase the Impact of Working Memory Deficits on Learning Problems in Adolescents with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Abstract

Sleep disturbances (SD) are prevalent in individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Less is known about the effects of SD on cognition and learning in adolescents with high-functioning ASD (HF-ASD). Adolescents with HF-ASD (N = 96) were evaluated for the relationships of SD to working memory and learning problems. Results found SD to modify the relationship between working memory and learning problems. Working memory deficits were associated with learning problems among those with SD, while not among those without SD. SD and working memory deficits should be targeted in interventions for these adolescents with HF-ASD (e.g., cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia, pharmacological treatments). Future studies should examine if improvement in SD reduces the impact of working memory deficits on learning problems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sleep Research and Treatment Center, Department of Psychiatry, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA

    Susan L. Calhoun & Julio Fernandez-Mendoza

  2. Autism Division, Department of Psychiatry, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA

    Amanda M. Pearl, Krina C. Durica, Susan D. Mayes & Michael J. Murray

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  1. Susan L. Calhoun
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  2. Amanda M. Pearl
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  3. Julio Fernandez-Mendoza
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  4. Krina C. Durica
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  5. Susan D. Mayes
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  6. Michael J. Murray
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Contributions

SLC conceived of the study, participated in design, performed statistical analysis and drafted manuscript; AMP helped draft the manuscript; JFM participated in the interpretation of the data, statistical analysis and helped draft the manuscript; KCD helped with the study design and data collection and draft of the manuscript; SDM helped with data collection and draft of the manuscript and MJM helped with draft of manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Susan L. Calhoun.

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The preliminary findings from this study were presented as a poster at the 2016 European Sleep Research Society, September 13–16, Bologna, Italy and at the 31st Annual Meeting of Associated Professional Sleep Societies, June 3–7, Boston MA.

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Calhoun, S.L., Pearl, A.M., Fernandez-Mendoza, J. et al. Sleep Disturbances Increase the Impact of Working Memory Deficits on Learning Problems in Adolescents with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 50, 1701–1713 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-03928-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-03928-y

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