Introduction

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) consists of alterations of neurological functions affecting the typical developmental trajectory leading to deficits in social interaction and non-verbal communication. Up to 80% of children with ASD experience sleep disturbances, including difficulties with sleep onset, maintenance, and early morning awakening. Alterations in the circadian rhythm, sensory sensitivities, comorbid psychiatric conditions, and medication side effects are among the key factors implicated. Aim of study is evaluating sleep habits in a sample of ASD children.

Methods

65 ASD children (43 males; mean age 5.73 ± 2.39 years) were assessed for their sleep habits by parental questionnaire Sleep Disturbances Scale for Children (SDSC). The diagnosis of ASD was confirmed by the evaluation ADOS -2. The control group consists of 114 children with typical development (68 males and 46 females), aged between 3 and 10 years (mean 5.91 ± 2.23 years).

Results

The two groups were matched for age (p = 0.633) and sex (p = 0.483). The ASD subjects show a significantly higher rate of sleep disorders in all categories explored by SDSC tests (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent and impactful in children with ASD, necessitating comprehensive assessment and targeted interventions to improve their overall quality of life and functioning. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and optimize treatment strategies for this vulnerable population.

Margherita Siciliano earned a specialist degree in the Psychology of Cognitive Processes and Functional Recovery from the University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” in 2010. She completed her specialization in Cognitive Psychotherapy in 2016 and obtained her PhD in Medical, Clinical, and Experimental Sciences from the same University in 2019. From 2019 to 2022, Dr. Siciliano volunteered at the Child Neuropsychiatry Department. Since 2022, she has been working as a Research Fellow at the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, focusing on providing psychological care for pediatric patients with severe obesity. She has been invited as a speaker for national and international conferences focused on developmental psychology or developmental disorders. Her research interest is focused on developmental age, developmental psychology, and neurodevelopmental disorders.