Children with Autism May Nap Less Than Their Counterparts; Restricted Sleep May Impact Behavior

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Children with Autism May Nap Less Than Their Counterparts; Restricted Sleep May Impact BehaviorA study published in the March issue of American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities by University of California, researchers compared the daytime sleep patterns of preschool-aged children over a six month period. Authors found that children with autism napped substantially less (both in frequency and duration) than children with other developmental disabilities and typically developing children, matched for chronologic age. Authors suggest that interventionists should pay attention to both daytime and nighttime sleep when evaluating and treating children, as such sleep restrictions over time may impact behavior.http://www.aaiddjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1352/1944-7558-116.2.142 "Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way." -Abraham Lincoln