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Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability: A Pilot Study Exploring Associations between Child Sleep Problems, Child Factors and Parent Factors

Author

Listed:
  • Nicole Papadopoulos

    (Deakin Child Study Centre, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia)

  • Chloe Emonson

    (Deakin Child Study Centre, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia)

  • Christina Martin

    (Deakin Child Study Centre, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia)

  • Emma Sciberras

    (Deakin Child Study Centre, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
    Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
    Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia)

  • Harriet Hiscock

    (Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
    Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
    The Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia)

  • Samantha Lewis

    (Deakin Child Study Centre, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia)

  • Jane McGillivray

    (Deakin Child Study Centre, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia)

  • Nicole Rinehart

    (Deakin Child Study Centre, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
    School of Educational Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Education, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia)

Abstract

Sleep problems are common in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, few studies have undertaken group comparisons of sleep profiles and factors associated with poorer sleep between children with ASD without intellectual disability (ID; hereafter referred to as ASD) and ASD with co-occurring ID (hereafter referred to as ASD + ID). This study aimed to (1) compare child (sleep problems and emotional and behavioural problems (EBPs)) and parent factors (parenting stress and mental health) for children with ASD compared to children with ASD + ID, and (2) examine the associations between sleep problems and child and parent factors in both groups. Parents of 56 children with ASD (22 ASD, 34 ASD + ID) aged 6–13 years took part in the study. No statistically significant differences in sleep problems were found between children with ASD compared to children with ASD + ID. However, total EBPs were independently associated with child sleep problems in both groups. Further, ‘Self-Absorbed’ and ‘Communication Disturbance’ EBPs were significantly greater in the ASD + ID compared to the ASD group. Overall treatment outcomes for children with ASD may be further improved if consideration is given to the specific types of EBPs being experienced by the child and their association with sleep problems.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicole Papadopoulos & Chloe Emonson & Christina Martin & Emma Sciberras & Harriet Hiscock & Samantha Lewis & Jane McGillivray & Nicole Rinehart, 2021. "Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability: A Pilot Study Exploring Associations between Child Sleep Problems, Child Factors and Parent Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-12, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11377-:d:667843
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