Sleep and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Young people on the autism spectrum often experience poorer sleep when compared to neurotypical children.
The effects of poor sleep
The most frequently reported sleep problems include:
Increased time to fall asleep.
Increased waking after falling asleep.
Decreased total duration of sleep each night.
Poor sleep can intensify specific autistic characteristics, features, or traits:
Stereotypical behaviour i.e. repetitive ritualistic behavior and stimming.
Meltdowns, aggressive behaviour, irritability, inattention, hyperactivity, self-injurious behaviour.
Communication difficulties.
Executive function (mental processes such as planning, memory and attention that inform goal-directed behaviour).
Benefits of hydrotherapy on poor sleep
A study from 2021 recruited young boys with ASD to perform aquatic exercise (hydrotherapy).
The boys participated in 2x60 minute sessions per week for 10 weeks.
Results indicated the following improvements:
Increased sleep duration.
Decreased night waking.
Decreased bedtime resistance (calling out from or leaving one's room after bedtime).
Decreased blood levels of two specific cytokines (cell communication molecules) considered as normal sleep regulators.
If you are interested in hydrotherapy sessions, contact us via email at admin@iliveactive.com.au or call 0416 495 169.
References
Ansari, S., AdibSaber, F., Elmieh, A., & Gholamrezaei, S. (2021). The effect of water-based intervention on sleep habits and two sleep-related cytokines in children with autism. Sleep Medicine, 82, 78-83. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2021.03.045
Mazurek, M., & Sohl, K. (2016). Sleep and Behavioral Problems in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal Of Autism And Developmental Disorders, 46(6), 1906-1915. doi: 10.1007/s10803-016-2723-7
Tse, A., Yu, C., & Lee, P. (2020). Comparing sleep patterns between children with autism spectrum disorder and children with typical development: A matched case–control study. Autism, 24(8), 2298-2303. doi: 10.1177/1362361320936827
Tse, C., Lee, H., Chan, K., Edgar, V., Wilkinson-Smith, A., & Lai, W. (2019). Examining the impact of physical activity on sleep quality and executive functions in children with autism spectrum disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Autism, 23(7), 1699-1710. doi: 10.1177/1362361318823910