Research has found that people with autism have elevated melatonin levels during the day, and lower levels of melatonin at night - this is the opposite of what should be the case. The hypothalamus controls the brain’s release of melatonin, which helps your body become tired. These circadian rhythms are controlled by the hypothalamus of your brain and are essential to falling asleep and waking in a regular timeframe. Each of our bodies has a 24-hour sleep-wake pattern called a circadian rhythm. Difficulty Falling AsleepĪnother common sleep problem with children with autism is difficulty falling asleep. Since this is the restorative phase of sleep where the day’s information, experiences, and memories are consolidated, researchers are examining the role this lack of REM-sleep plays in the learning difficulties associated with autism. Research has also indicated that children with autism spend less time in the critically-important REM sleep cycle than other peers (15% compared with 23%). Sleep deprivation is thought to exacerbate some of the social, behavioral, and cognitive skill issues associated with autism. The shortened sleep times were attributed to later bedtimes, earlier wake times, and night awakening (3+ times per night).Īs the age of the research participants increased, the problems with night awakening increased as well (11% of children with ASD versus. In a study published in the Archives of Disease Control, it was reported that children with autism, aged 30 months to 11 years old, slept for 17-43 minutes less per day than their peers. Researchers are working hard to uncover exactly why the incidence of sleep disorders is so high in autistic children: Does the neurological and genetic makeup of the autistic brain and body contribute to sleep issues? Or, are issues with sleep contributing to commonly observed symptoms, behaviors, and learning difficulties associated with autism? Less Time Spent Sleeping Autistic Sleep DisordersĪutism Speaks estimates that over 80% of children with autism have sleep problems. Unfortunately, for children with autism, these sleep problems occur more frequently are compounded by some of the stressors that are commonly associated with an autism spectrum disorder. Parasomnia - excessive movement during sleep cycles.Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Cycle Disorders.Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders: apnea, snoring, groaning.Insomnias: difficulty falling asleep and/or difficulty staying asleep.While the most common sleep issues reported are related to falling and staying asleep, there are a number of ways to characterize a sleep problem: The National Sleep Foundation reports that only 35% of American adults qualify their night’s sleep as “good.” When sleep issues manifest for a sustained period of time, a more clinically diagnosed sleep disorder may be to blame. Difficulties with new learning & retention of learned skills (memory).Difficulties with organization, planning, judgment. Behavioral issues: hyperactivity, aggression, inattentiveness.Side effects of sleep deprivation can include: Because the recommended sleep time decreases with age, the recommendation for adults is 7-9 hours of sleep per night. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that preschool children receive 11-13 hours of sleep each night, school-age children 10 -11 hours, and teenagers 8 - 10 hours. If your child is not getting the recommended amount of sleep, the effects can compound and sleep deprivation can result.
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