The sleep problems diagnosed among children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD).

Abstract

Objective: To find the sleep problems in children who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder between the age ranges from 3 to 12 years. Study Design: Cross-sectional Observational study. Setting: Department of the Developmental Pediatrics Children Hospital Lahore and Department of Occupational Therapy, Rising Sun, Lahore. Period: February 2017 to November 2017. Material & Methods: This study included 300 children who were diagnosed with ASD having sleep problems between ages 3-12 years. All other children were excluded. Data was collected by using Albany sleep problem scale. The sample size was determined by utilizing WHO Software for test size assurance in wellbeing considers. Results: Results demonstrated that majority of the kids presented with different sleep disorders such as (83%) of the children took a lot of time to sleep. Moreover, (43.2%) of the children depicted continuous awakening during night time. (63.4%) of the kids faced Respiratory problems. (53%) children showed restlessness during sleep. Furthermore, (83.3%) of the children remained consciousness during sleep. Conclusion: Study concluded that most habitually sleep issues in ASD kids are nodding off, fretful rest, not falling stay in own bed, take an hour to sleep, kicking legs and successive enlightenments. Less commonly sleep problems were sleep strolling, sleep talking, and resistance to go in bed, excessive sleep-in day screams uproariously.