Sleep Disturbance in Children with Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

Sleep disturbances are common among individuals with mental retardation/intellectual disability, and neurodevelopmental disabilities. Most common sleep problems include bedtime resistance (e.g., calling out from bed, leaving bedroom, resisting going to bed), delayed sleep onset, and sleep-maintenance problems. Additionally, several parasomnias have been commonly reported. In this article, unique aspects of sleep disturbance within this population are presented, including description of sleep disturbances, prevalence, etiology, and treatment. Emphasis is on children with intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders, and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. Youths with genetic disorders and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder are addressed elsewhere.