Targeting Insomnia in School Aged Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
University of Missouri-Columbia
Summary
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and insomnia, and their parent(s) will undergo 4 sessions of behavioral therapy for sleep problems followed by 4 bimonthly booster sessions. Children and their families will be randomly assigned to one of three conditions: cognitive behavioral therapy (in-person), cognitive behavioral therapy (remote), or behavioral therapy (remote). Arousal will be measured through heart-rate variability. Sleep and secondary outcomes (child daytime behavior, parent sleep) will be collected at baseline (weeks 1-2 before starting the treatment), post-treatment (weeks 6-8 from baseline), 6-month follow-up, and 12-month follow-up.
Description
Children with autism often have difficulties falling and staying asleep at night. Those sleep difficulties can contribute to daytime problems with irritability, learning, and behavior. Parents are often stressed about their child's sleep difficulties and as a result, their sleep can suffer as well. Treatment that focuses on establishing behaviors and routines that help reduce arousal and support good sleep are helpful for improving the sleep of children without autism, but have not yet been tested in children with autism. Previous studies have indicated that distance can make it difficult for…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 6–12 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * 1\) 6-12a yrs * 2\) Verbal IQ \>= 70 * 3\) participation of child's parent or legal guardian living in the same home * 4\) parent/guardian ability to read and understand English at the 5th-grade level * 5\) child diagnosed with ASD and insomnia ASD: * 1\) previous DSM diagnosis of ASD * 2\) evaluation using gold-standard diagnostic tools (i.e., Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and/or Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised \[ADI-R\]) Insomnia: * 1\) complaints of difficulties falling asleep, staying asleep, or early morning awakening by child report or paren…
Interventions
- BehavioralIn-Person CBT for insomnia in children with autism
7 modules administered in-person 1. Sleep Hygiene \& Sleep Prescription 2. Bedtime Routine \& Parent Management 3. Cue Control \& Parent Management 4. Co-Sleeping \& Parents Fading out of Room 5. Circadian Education, Morning Routine, \& Relaxation 6. Cognitive Therapy Basics 7. Nighttime Fears, Anxiety, \& Nightmares
- BehavioralRemote CBT for insomnia in children with autism
7 modules administered over telehealth/videoconferencing 1. Sleep Hygiene \& Sleep Prescription 2. Bedtime Routine \& Parent Management 3. Cue Control \& Parent Management 4. Co-Sleeping \& Parents Fading out of Room 5. Circadian Education, Morning Routine, \& Relaxation 6. Cognitive Therapy Basics 7. Nighttime Fears, Anxiety, \& Nightmares
- BehavioralRemote sleep hygiene and related education (SHARE) for insomnia in children with autism
7 modules administered over telehealth/videoconferencing 1. Sleep Education 2. Sleep Architecture \& Parasomnias 3. Physical Activity \& Sleep 4. Nutrition, My Plate, \& Breathing during Sleep 5. Stress, Sleep, Dreams, \& Nightmares Connections 6. Mood, Self-Esteem, \& Sleep 7. Light \& Dark Cycle
Location
- Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental DisordersColumbia, Missouri