A study recently published in Autism Research has shed light on how sleep disorders vary significantly among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and typically developing (TD) children.
Conducted by Carmen Berenguer, Ph.D., and her colleagues at the Universitat de València in Spain, the research offers insights into the complex relationship between sleep disturbances, ASD, and ADHD.
The study involved a detailed comparison among three groups of children aged between 7 and 12 years.
These groups included children with ASD but without intellectual disabilities, those with ADHD, and a TD control group, comprising 47, 43, and 32 children, respectively.
These groups were carefully matched based on age and intelligence levels to ensure a fair comparison.
Parents of these children played a key role in the study by filling out questionnaires that measured both sleep disturbances and communication skills.
Through this data, the researchers could draw a clear picture of how sleep issues vary among these groups.
One of the standout findings of the study was the significant differences in most types of sleep disorders between children with ASD or ADHD and those who are typically developing.
Specifically, the ADHD group exhibited more sleep breathing disorders and hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) compared to both the ASD and TD groups. Furthermore, this group also showed a higher overall number of sleep problems.
Interestingly, the study also found that sleep problems had a greater impact on communication difficulties in the ADHD group compared to the ASD group.
This indicates that poor sleep can exacerbate communication challenges, which are already a concern in children with these conditions.
Moreover, sleep problems were found to partially mediate the link between symptoms and communication difficulties in both ASD and ADHD groups.
The significance of this research lies in its potential to guide the development of tailored interventions.
By understanding the specific sleep dysfunctions in children with ASD and ADHD and their impact on other areas such as communication, interventions can be better designed to address these unique challenges.
Such targeted approaches could significantly reduce the adverse consequences of sleep disturbances in these children.
In summary, this study highlights the critical role of sleep in the overall well-being and development of children with ASD and ADHD.
It underscores the need for healthcare professionals and caregivers to pay close attention to sleep patterns and disorders in these children, considering their broader implications on health and daily functioning.
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The research findings can be found in Autism Research.
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