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Function-Based Behavioral Interventions for Sleep Problems in Children and Adolescents with Autism: Summary of 41 Clinical Cases

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Abstract

This case analysis involved 41 clinical cases wherein children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) received a behavioral intervention for sleep problems. This study intended to (a) evaluate the efficacy of function-based behavioral sleep treatments; (b) elucidate variables impacting response to such interventions; (c) inform practitioners addressing sleep problems without a robust evidence-base; and (d) suggest priorities for future sleep research. Interventions included antecedent- and consequence-based modifications, and the teaching of replacement behaviors. Data were analysed using modified Brinley Plots and effect size estimates. Outcomes suggest that multi-component, parent-delivered, function-based interventions may ameliorate sleep problems in children and adolescents with ASD. The need for future research utilizing rigorous experimental designs is supported.

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Funding

This research was supported by funding from the IHC Foundation, New Zealand and the Health Research Council, New Zealand.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Health Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Laurie McLay, Karyn France, Jenna van Deurs, Jolene Hunter, Jacqui Knight, Brent Hastie, Emma Woodford & Rosina Gibbs

  2. School of Psychology, Speech, and Hearing, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Neville Blampied

  3. Department of Educational Psychology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, USA

    Amarie Carnett

  4. Department of Special Education, Center for Autism Research Evaluation, and Support, Texas State Univerity, San Marcos, TX, USA

    Russell Lang

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  1. Laurie McLay
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  2. Karyn France
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Contributions

LM is Principal Investigator on this research project and was responsible for the conceptualization of the study, provision of some of the clinical work and supervision, and preparation of the complete draft of this paper. KF is an associate investigator on this research project and contributed toward the conceptualization of the study, clinical supervision, and provided edits on draft versions of the paper. NB is an Associate Investigator on this project and was primarily responsible for data analysis, writing the results, and providing edits on draft versions of this manuscript. JvD, JH, JK, BH, and AC were responsible for clinical work. EW and RG were responsible for the preparation of data, video coding, and collating IOA and TF data. RL contributed toward the preparation and conceptualization of this paper and provided paper edits.

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Correspondence to Laurie McLay.

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McLay, L., France, K., Blampied, N. et al. Function-Based Behavioral Interventions for Sleep Problems in Children and Adolescents with Autism: Summary of 41 Clinical Cases. J Autism Dev Disord 51, 418–432 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04548-7

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