Sleep in children with neurodevelopmental difficulties

Abstract

Sleep disorders in children with neurodevelopmental disorders are complex and reflect underlying genetic/biological and behavioural components. The sleep disorders are the same as in the typically developing child, although there may be some modifications to the presentation or the frequency depending on the phenotype. Consideration of the known phenotypes and environmental issues are important in defining management strategies. Despite this complexity, defined behavioural strategies with good sleep hygiene can have a significant effect on the sleep problem and on parental management of the behaviours.

Determinants of sleep problems in children with intellectual disability

“…(Continues) sleepiness may be under-reported in young children, as symptoms may instead present as attention and behavioural problems (Heussler & Hiscock, 2018). Sleepiness items in the SDSC assess sleepiness when waking up and falling asleep, yet behavioural symptoms of sleepiness are not addressed.…”

“…Insufficient sleep at night associated with insomnia and other sleep disorders, e.g. OSA, can lead to daytime sleepiness (Heussler & Hiscock, 2018). In the current study, adolescents (aged 13–18 years) with Down syndrome were more likely than other diagnostic groups to display excessive daytime sleepiness.…”

“…In the current study, adolescents (aged 13–18 years) with Down syndrome were more likely than other diagnostic groups to display excessive daytime sleepiness. Daytime sleepiness may be under‐reported in young children, as symptoms may instead present as attention and behavioural problems (Heussler & Hiscock, 2018). Sleepiness items in the SDSC assess sleepiness when waking up and falling asleep, yet behavioural symptoms of sleepiness are not addressed.…”

“…Many children with an intellectual disability experience problems with initiating and maintaining sleep, daytime somnolence and sleep disordered breathing (Heussler & Hiscock, 2018; Pavlova & Latreille, 2019; Surtees, 2018). While these sleep problems are also common in typically developing children, (Pavlova & Latreille, 2019), they mainly occur during early childhood (Fricke‐Oerkermann et al., 2007) and can usually be managed with parental interventions such as setting a regular bedtime and limiting screen time before bed (Heussler & Hiscock, 2018).…”

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Many children with an intellectual disability experience problems with initiating and maintaining sleep, daytime somnolence and sleep disordered breathing (Heussler & Hiscock, 2018;Pavlova & Latreille, 2019;Surtees, 2018). While these sleep problems are also common in typically developing children, (Pavlova & Latreille, 2019), they mainly occur during early childhood (Fricke-Oerkermann et al, 2007) and can usually be managed with parental interventions such as setting a regular bedtime and limiting screen time before bed (Heussler & Hiscock, 2018). For children with an intellectual disability, sleep problems can be more severe, persist across their lifespan and while good sleep hygiene and medications can help, such interventions often do not solve the problem (Boban, 2018;Richdale, 2014).Insufficient and disrupted sleep can have negative impacts on a child's physical and mental health, as well as influencing behaviour, social competence, and learning (Foley & Weinraub, 2017;Meijer et al, 2000).

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