Understanding the Complexity of Sleep Disturbances in ASD: From Mechanisms to Management
Abstract
Sleep disturbances represent one of the most frequent and clinically significant comorbidities in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), affecting approximately 50-80% of individuals. Clinically, these disturbances encompass a broad spectrum of disorders, including insomnia, parasomnias, sleep-related movement disorders, and sleep-related breathing disorders, commonly presenting with prolonged sleep latency, frequent nocturnal awakenings, reduced total sleep time, and alterations in sleep architecture. Circadian rhythm dysregulation, abnormalities in neurotransmitter systems such as GABA and serotonin, and altered melatonin signaling have been consistently implicated. These processes may reflect underlying genetic and metabolic influences affecting circadian clock regulation and synaptic function. The management of sleep disturbances in ASD requires a comprehensive approach combining behavioral strategies, caregiver education, and sleep hygiene interventions, while pharmacological options, particularly melatonin, may be considered when non-pharmacological measures are insufficient. Understanding the multifactorial mechanisms underlying sleep disturbances in ASD is essential for improving early recognition and developing individualized therapeutic strategies. This review synthesizes current evidence on the prevalence, biological mechanisms, clinical manifestations, and management of sleep disturbances in ASD, providing an integrated perspective for both clinicians and…
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