Sleep Disturbances and Sensory Processing among Autism Spectrum Disorder Children

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Research on sleep disturbances and sensory processing disorder (SPD) among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has received little attention. Identification of sensory components that cause sleep disturbances among ASD children will guide the therapists to select the best intervention for the condition. This study aims to identify the pattern of sensory processing that is responsible for sleep disturbance among ASD children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 55 ASD children between three and 18 years old who participated in the study. SPD was analyzed using Short Sensory Profile (SSP) while sleep disturbances utilized the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC). RESULTS: The subscale of SPD showed a strong correlation with the score for overall sleep disturbances. The subscales SPD are movements sensitivity with a positive association and auditory filtering with a negative correlation association (p<0.05). However, no significant association between total SPD and sleep disturbances (p>0.05) were noted. CONCLUSION: This finding may therefore shed light that SPD and sleep disturbances need to be addressed reciprocally. Increasing the number of participants and battery of tests are required to accurately determine the relationship between SPD and sleep disturbances.