摘要:
Sleep disturbance is a significant problem in the general pediatric population, and it occurs even more frequently in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Much time and energy has been spent examining the characteristics which predispose children in general to insomnia, and it is likely that similar factors influence sleep in young people with ASDs. Although the dynamics may be similar to those of children in the general population, unique characteristics associated with a diagnosis of ASD may have additive effects and increase the likelihood of developing sleep dysfunction. The purpose of this research was to explore possible cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and physiological risk markers for sleep disturbance in children with ASDs. The investigation involved the analyses of two sets of preexisting data in a cross-sectional design. Study 1 consisted of data from the Autism Treatment Network Registry, and Study 2, involved data collected by the Research Units on Pediatric Psychopharmacology (RUPP) Autism Network. Approximately 40 to 45 variables were analyzed in each study using hierarchical regression modeling to establish the best linear combination of predictors for sleep disturbance and to control for the effects of psychotropic medication use. The results of Study 1 revealed that the combined effects of anxiety, autism symptom severity, sensory sensitivities, communication problems, GI problems, and externalizing behavior were the main associated factors for the development of insomnia. IQ positively predicted sleep disturbance and children with Asperger’s Disorder were especially vulnerable. The amount of variance in sleep outcomes explained by the predictor variables was small to moderate (i.e., R2 ranged from .104 to .201). The results of Study 2 showed that anxiety and compulsive or repetitive behaviors were the main predisposing factors for the development of disturbed sleep, and the amount of the variance in the sleep outcome explained by pred