Simple strategies can alleviate sleep disturbances in children with autism

Dr Aajuli Shukla

writer

Dr Aajuli Shukla

General Practitioner; Deputy Medical Editor, Medical Journal of Australia; Member of the Editorial Advisory Board for the Diabetes Management Journal

Dr Aajuli Shukla

Anyone who has ever been a parent, recognises the impact sleep deprivation and sleep disturbance has had on their quality of functioning and/or on that of their children.

Sleep disturbances are an incredibly important consideration in children with autism and/or intellectual disability because the prevalence of this issue in this group is anywhere between 40-80% says Dr Hugh Allen a Respiratory and Sleep Paediatric specialist at the Sydney Children’s Hospital.

The impact of this cannot be underestimated on not just the child, but the parent as well, in terms of their functioning and quality of life says Dr Hugh Allen. Poor quality sleep impacts a child’s ability to attend therapy meaningfully and has a profound effect on any existing anxiety or mental health disorder he says.

Tiredness exacerbates any underlying psychopathology, he says, and can make it more difficult to practice strategies introduced at therapy.

PASSWORD RESET

Forgot your password or password not working? Please enter your email address. You will receive an email with the link to set a new password.

Further your CPD learning

Based on this educational activity, complete these learning modules to gain additional CPD.

Icon 2

NEXT LIVE Webcast

:
Days
:
Hours
:
Minutes
Seconds
A/Prof Ralph Audehm

A/Prof Ralph Audehm

Lipids Management in GP Demystified

Dr Anita Munoz

Dr Anita Munoz

Maintaining Muscles of Independence – Sarcopenia Screening & Management

Dr Melissa Bochner

Dr Melissa Bochner

Work Up of a Breast Lump in GP – Practical Tips and Traps

Dr Adam Straub

Dr Adam Straub

Managing Opioid Dependence in GP – An Update

Join us for the next free webcast for GPs and healthcare professionals

High quality lectures delivered by leading independent experts

Share this

Share this

Dr Aajuli Shukla

writer

Dr Aajuli Shukla

General Practitioner; Deputy Medical Editor, Medical Journal of Australia; Member of the Editorial Advisory Board for the Diabetes Management Journal

Recent Posts

Latest GP poll

We asked GPs "To what extent do you support or oppose legislation to allow nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives to prescribe PBS medicines and provide Medicare services without an arrangement with a doctor?"

Strongly support

0%

Somewhat support

0%

Neither support nor oppose

0%

Somewhat oppose

0%

Strongly oppose

0%

Recent podcasts

Listen to expert interviews.
Click to open in a new tab

You have completed the Educational Activities (EA) component of this activity.

Select ‘Confirm & claim CPD‘ to confirm you have engaged with this activity in its entirety and claim your CPD.

You will be taken to explore further CPD learning available to you.