0954 Sleep of Gifted Children Using Actigraphy

Introduction Intellectual giftedness is characterized by an intellectual development superior to peers (QI > 120) while emotional and relational development corresponds to the age norms. Anecdotal reports from parents suggest that they sleep poorly compared to typically developing (TD) peers. We measured sleep of gifted children using actigraphy. Methods Thirteen gifted children (10 boys, mean age = 10.58, SD = 2.11) were studied. Giftedness was identified using Renzulli’s three-factor definition of giftedness conceptualise in terms of above-average ability and high levels of task commitment (refined or focused form of motivation), and creativity. Sleep was measured with actigraphy for two weeks and compared to normative data from TD children using T-tests. Results Compared to normative data from TD children, gifted children had a significantly shorter sleep latency (p < 0.001), longer sleep periods (p = 0.001), shorter total sleep time and more wake time after sleep onset (p = 0.03). These differences were present both on week nights and weekend nights except that total sleep time was shorter in gifted children only during weekends (p < 0.001). Conclusion These data suggest that gifted children sleep poorly, and more so upon weekends. Whether this correlates with daytime functioning remains to be determined. Support N/A