G202(P) Sleep management in autistic spectrum disorder

Abstract

Abnormal sleep affects 44-89% of children with ASD. Currently there are no official UK guidelines for the management of sleep with ASD. Aim To discuss sleep management using a case study of 9 year old boy with ASD. Method Computerised article search conducted using the electronic databases Medline, Science Direct and the Cochrane Library for the literature review. Interviews were conducted with the child's mother and community paediatrician. Results After sleep hygiene optimisation and behavioural interventions, sleep onset latency had decreased by one hour. After melatonin, sleep-onset latency; frequency of night terrors and other nocturnal awakenings and daytime behaviour had improved. Total sleep time had increased by 4 h 30 min. Conclusion Further research should be done to set up more sleep clinics nationwide. Official guidelines or practice pathways should be made to guide professionals in how to manage sleep problems in ASD.