Sleep disorder in children with autism

Abstract

Eighty-eight children with autism, living in a suburb of Tokyo, were examined by questionnaire from 21 July to 31 August. Experienced sleep disorders were observed in 56 children; 44 of whom had sleep disorders before 3 years old. The average age when sleep disorders were seen to have stopped was 5 years old. The most common problem was difficulty falling sleep (n = 23), followed by frequent awakening during sleep time (n = 19), then early morning awakening (n = 11). Bed-wetting was observed in 22 children.