Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Abstract

Compared to typically developing children, sleep disturbances are exceedingly prevalent in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. The diagnostic criteria for many neurodevelopmental disorders includes sleep problems. Sleep disturbance in this population is often multifactorial and caused by the interplay of genetic, neurobiological and environmental overlap. These disturbances often present either as insomnia or hypersomnia. Different sleep disorders present with these complaints and based on the clinical history and findings from diagnostic tests, an appropriate diagnosis can be made. The chapter covers autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, Prader–Willi syndrome, Angelman syndrome, Rett syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Williams syndrome, and Smith–Magenis syndrome.