A good night’s rest isn’t guaranteed for anyone, but it is downright elusive for many people with autism. Individuals on the spectrum often have trouble falling and staying asleep.
And that may worsen certain features of their condition, such as repetitive behaviors, which can, in turn, make sleeping even more difficult.
Given this disruptive feedback loop, sleep problems are among the most urgent concerns for families grappling with autism. But so far, this also happens to be among the least-studied aspects of autism.
Here’s what researchers know so far about the causes and consequences of — and treatments for — sleep problems in autism.
The U.S. Food and Drug administration has approved insomnia drugs, such as Ambien, for adults with autism but not for children. For more serious problems such as sleep apnea, clinicians sometimes recommend a nighttime breathing device such as a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine or, in rare cases, surgery. CPAP masks for side sleepers are a good choice for sleep disorders.
But for many sleep issues, melatonin supplements may be a good option. Some research suggests the supplements help children with autism fall asleep faster and get better-quality sleep.
Read More: https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/sleep-problems-autism-explained/#comment-4673556890
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