HABIT FORMING : STRATEGIES FOR AUTISM AND RELATED DISABILITIES SLEEP PROBLEMS

Bedtime routines that include visual schedules with photos or line drawings, such as the examples below, can be helpful for those with limited language. Checklists can be very helpful for those with more advanced language.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Beth Malow, MD, MS is Burry Chair of Cognitive Childhood Development and Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

References

Autism Speaks Sleep Toolkits: collection of free and downloadable pamphlets, quick tip sheets, and videos https://www.autismspeaks.org/tool-kit/atnair-p-strategies-improve-sleep-children-autism

Terry Katz, PhD and Beth Malow, MD, MS Solving Sleep Problems in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Guide for Frazzled Families: Book to help families implement behavioral sleep strategies. Woodbine House, Maryland, 2014.

Goldman, S.E., Richdale, A.L., Clemons, T. et al. Parental Sleep Concerns in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Variations from Childhood to Adolescence. J Autism Dev Disord 42, 531–538 (2012).

Loring, W. A., Johnston, R., Gray, L., Goldman, S., & Malow, B. (2016). A brief behavioral intervention for insomnia in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology, 4(2), 112–124.

Malow, B.A., Adkins, K.W., Reynolds, A. et al. Parent-Based Sleep Education for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 44, 216–228 (2014).

Maxwell-Horn, A., & Malow, B. A. (2017). Sleep in autism. Seminars in Neurology (Vol. 37,(No. 04), 413–418.