Sleep disturbances, sensory processing difficulties, and emotional dysregulation in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder.

This study looked at 50 autistic preschoolers in Taiwan and found they sleep about 1.8 hours less than recommended. Nearly all children (98%) had sleep problems, and most had sensory sensitivities and difficulties managing emotions. The research showed that when children struggle with sensory issues, it can lead to emotional difficulties, which then affects their sleep. This suggests that helping children with sensory and emotional challenges might improve their sleep.

This cross-sectional study examined relationships between sensory processing difficulties, emotional dysregulation, and sleep problems in 50 Taiwanese preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder. Using caregiver questionnaires and seven nights of actigraphy, researchers found these children averaged 8.2 hours of sleep nightly (107 minutes below recommended guidelines). High prevalence rates were documented for sleep disturbances (98%), sensory sensitivity (82%), sensory avoidance (84%), and emotional dysregulation (66%). Mediation analyses revealed that emotional dysregulation significantly mediated the relationship between sensory processing difficulties and sleep problems in caregiver-reported data, though objective actigraphy measures didn't correlate with emotional dysregulation.

Findings suggest integrating sensory-focused and emotional regulation strategies into sleep interventions for young autistic children.

Results support integrating sensory processing and emotional regulation strategies into sleep interventions for young autistic children. Clinicians should routinely screen for sensory sensitivities and emotional dysregulation when addressing sleep problems. Cultural factors like co-sleeping practices should be considered in intervention design.

Single-site study with small sample size (n=50) limits generalizability. Cross-sectional design prevents causal inferences. Reliance on caregiver reports for sensory and emotional measures may introduce bias. Cultural specificity to Taiwan may limit applicability to other populations.

Sensory sensitivity and avoidance may contribute to sleep disturbances in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through elevated emotional dysregulation. While these interrelations have been documented in Western populations, little is known about their manifestation in East Asian cultural contexts. This study examined the relationships among sensory processing difficulties, emotional dysregulation, and sleep disturbances in Taiwanese preschoolers with ASD. Fifty children (40 boys, 10 girls; mean age = 55 months) were assessed using caregiver-reported questionnaires and seven nights of actigraphy.

Objective actigraphy data showed that Taiwanese preschool children with ASD sleep 493 min per night (8.2 h), which is approximately 107 min less than the American Academy of Sleep Medicine guideline. Subjective caregiver reports indicated high prevalence rates of sleep disturbances (98 %), sensory sensitivity (82 %), sensory avoidance (84 %), and emotional dysregulation (66 %). Greater sensory processing difficulties were associated with more severe caregiver-reported sleep problems and higher emotional dysregulation, while objective actigraphy measures did not show significant associations with emotional dysregulation. Mediation analyses using subjective caregiver-reported data further revealed that emotional dysregulation significantly mediated the associations between sensory sensitivity/avoidance and sleep disturbances.

These findings underscore the importance of integrating sensory-focused and emotional regulation strategies into sleep interventions for young autistic children, particularly in cultures where co-sleeping is normative.