Sleep and Sleep-Related Problems

Abstract

This chapter reviews the research base and practice applications of behavioral sleep intervention for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). I describe several studies which illustrate well established procedures within the discipline of applied behavior analysis (ABA), the results of systematic intervention, and several research-to-practice considerations. There are several reasons to recommend behavioral intervention for improving sleep of people who have IDD. Notably, clinicians have several procedures at their disposal with good evidence support in treating particular sleep problems. Various methods of functional behavioral assessment can provide vital information for tailoring a sleep intervention to the unique presentation of children and adults. The research reviewed in this chapter further supports parents and care-providers implementing behavioral intervention within different applied settings such as homes, schools, and hospital units. Many of these intervention procedures also appeal to parents and care-providers because of high satisfaction and treatment acceptability. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)