Researchers can also learn about sleep patterns by interviewing families or asking them to maintain sleep diaries. People can use the device at home to record the amount of time a person sleeps each night. At least one research group has brought polysomnography equipment into the homes of people with autism to try to get around this problem.Ī less cumbersome sleep test is actigraphy, in which a wristwatch-like device records a person’s movements throughout the night. Because it requires multiple sensors, wires and computers, it is typically done in a lab.īut this gold-standard method is not always practical for people with autism, many of whom require specific routines at bedtime. It tracks a person’s brain waves, eye and limb movement, and breathing patterns during sleep. Polysomnography is the most common and thorough type of sleep test. How can researchers assess sleep problems in people with autism? Some studies suggest that people on the spectrum carry mutations that affect levels of melatonin, a natural hormone that controls sleep.

Studies suggest that individuals with autism are more likely than typical people to have mutations in genes that govern the sleep-wake cycle or those that have links to insomnia. In some cases, people on the spectrum carry mutations that make them prone to sleep problems. For example, many people with ADHD take stimulants, which are known to cause insomnia. People with these other conditions may also take medications that affect sleep. Sleep problems may also be an indicator of depression in autistic people, though whether it is a cause or a result of sleep difficulties is unclear. Sensory sensitivities to light, sound or touch may contribute to difficulty sleeping. Cramps from constipation, for instance, may keep a person with autism up at night. Many people with autism have other conditions, such as gastrointestinal problems, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or anxiety, and each of those is known to disrupt sleep. W hy do people with autism have difficulty sleep ing ? One 2009 study found that children with autism who have sleep difficulties are more hyperactive and easily distracted than those who sleep well 1. However, it is unclear whether these problems stem from poor sleep, contribute to it or both. They also tend to score lower on tests of intelligence. Children who do not get enough sleep often have more severe repetitive behaviors and a tougher time making friends than other people on the spectrum. There is mounting evidence that too little sleep can exacerbate autism features, such as poor social skills. Most neurotypical people, by contrast, spend about 23 percent of their nightly rest in REM.ĭoes this lack of good sleep have consequences ? They spend about 15 percent of their sleeping time in the rapid eye movement (REM) stage, which is critical for learning and retaining memories. Sleep in people with autism may also be less restorative than it is for people in the general population.

Some people with the condition have sleep apnea, a condition that causes them to stop breathing several times during the night. People with autism tend to have insomnia: It takes them an average of 11 minutes longer than typical people to fall asleep, and many wake up frequently during the night. What types of sleep problems are common in autism? Sleep problems are twice as common among children with autism as they are among typical children or those with other developmental conditions. How common are sleep problems in children with autism?Ī 2019 study, one of the largest to investigate the prevalence of sleep problems in autism, suggested that nearly 80 percent of autistic preschoolers have disrupted sleep. Here’s what researchers know so far about the causes and consequences of - and treatments for - sleep problems in autism. But so far, this also happens to be among the least-studied aspects of autism. Given this disruptive feedback loop, sleep problems are among the most urgent concerns for families grappling with autism. Individuals on the spectrum often have trouble falling and staying asleep.Īnd that may worsen certain features of their condition, such as repetitive behaviors, which can, in turn, make sleeping even more difficult. It has been revised to reflect more recent research.Ī good night’s rest isn’t guaranteed for anyone, but it is downright elusive for many people with autism. This article was originally published in November 2017.

Unable to stay awake