A University of Canterbury (UC) study has found that a reduction in sleep problems for children on the autism spectrum
vastly improves those children’s behaviour and their parent’s wellbeing.
The study’s lead author Associate Professor Laurie McLay says the association between sleep and behavioural challenges in children is well-established but very few studies have
examined whether enhancing children’s sleep quantity and quality has general benefits across key areas of development
and functioning.
“Sleep problems affect between 40-80% of children on the autism spectrum; children with autism also experience high
rates of challenging behaviour associated with sleep problems,” says Dr McLay.
“This makes sleep one of a few pivotal behaviours which, when enhanced may have huge collateral benefit for children's
daytime behaviour, functioning and wellbeing, as well as parental mental health and wellbeing.”
This study used data from earlier research that provided a behavioural sleep treatment programme for 41 children on the
autism spectrum, of which 38 were observed to have a reduction in sleep problems.
“Further study found that, as a result of sleep treatment, there were improvements in children’s internalising
behaviours, such as anxiety, depression and social withdrawal, as well as their externalising behaviours, such as
aggression, and autism symptom severity ratings. Small improvements were also found in maternal sleep quality and
parental stress levels.
“This shows the importance of assessing and treating sleep problems as a priority area and an effective means of
addressing a variety of challenging behaviours and improving parent and family wellbeing.”
On this project, Dr McLay worked with a team of researchers including UC’s Professor Neville Blampied and Associate
Professor Karyn France. The research was funded by a Health Research Council Emerging Research First Grant. Dr McLay and
the research team are also exploring more efficient and accessible models of sleep treatment, as well as the collateral
benefits of sleep treatment for children with rare genetic developmental disabilities.
Dr McLay leads the UC Good Nights Programme, an innovative research programme and cost-free nationwide clinical service
focused on the treatment of sleep difficulties in children with autism.