Autism spectrum disorders and sleep

As discussed in previous chapters, sleep disorders occur across many different psychiatric disorders. The focus of the present chapter will be on sleep disorders in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We begin with a description of ASD and how the prevalence of ASD has changed over the past 10 to15 years. We then focus on how sleep problems in this population may be different than other groups of children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders, and why recognizing and treating sleep problems in individuals with ASD are important. We follow with information about the frequency and possible etiology of sleep problems in children and adolescents with ASD, and end with an explanation of different assessment instruments and strategies.