Characteristics associated with parental estimates of sleep duration in children with autism spectrum disorders

Background Sleep problems are common in individuals with ASD. This study examined the relationships between bedtime consistency, cognitive functioning, comorbid diagnoses, intervention, demographics and sleep duration in children with ASD. Method Cross-sectional data from 1683 children with ASD in the 2016 and 2017 National Survey of Children's Health were analyzed. The sample was 80 % male, 46 % non-Hispanic white, and mean age was 10.5 (SD 4.1) years. All data were parent report. Multiple linear regression was performed. Results ASD severity was associated with shorter sleep duration, and bedtime consistency was associated with longer sleep duration. Age moderated the effects of both bedtime consistency and ADD/ADHD on sleep duration. Both the positive effect of bedtime consistency and the negative effect of ADD/ADHD on sleep duration became less pronounced with age. Conclusion Although the challenges related to sleep and behavior may differ by age of the child, bedtime consistency could be a good target to improve sleep duration for all children with ASD. Future studies, especially longitudinal studies, on sleep habits and sleep hygiene, in conjunction with other measures of sleep patterns (e.g., night wakings) and correlates of sleep problems, may provide further evidence for the importance of good sleep practices and guide sleep treatment in children with ASD.