Sensory reactivity and sleep problems in toddlers with autism spectrum disorder and anxiety/depression symptoms in their mothers: are they related?

EYÜBOĞLU M., EYÜBOĞLU D.

EARLY CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND CARE, vol.190, no.11, pp.1791-1801, 2020 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 190 Issue: 11
  • Publication Date: 2020
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/03004430.2018.1550750
  • Journal Name: EARLY CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND CARE
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, ASSIA, IBZ Online, International Bibliography of Social Sciences, Child Development & Adolescent Studies, EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts, Educational research abstracts (ERA), ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Linguistics & Language Behavior Abstracts, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Psycinfo
  • Page Numbers: pp.1791-1801
  • Keywords: ASD, sensory reactivity, sleep problems, depression, family functioning, PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS, DAYTIME CHALLENGING BEHAVIOR, PARENTING STRESS, CHILDRENS SLEEP, MENTAL-HEALTH, PRESCHOOL-CHILDREN, YOUNG-CHILDREN, QUESTIONNAIRE, PATTERNS, FEATURES
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Previous studies suggest that children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are more prone to develop sleep problems and sensory reactivity, and these symptoms have an impact on parental mood. The current study examined the sleep problems and atypical sensory behaviour of 48 first-time diagnosed ASD children and the anxiety/depression levels of their mothers. We also investigated factors associated with maternal depressive symptoms. We found that sleep problems, atypical sensory reactivity, and mothers' depression levels were higher in ASD children. Sleep problems and sensory reactivity were also significantly associated with mothers' depression and autism severity. In regression analyses, parasomnia and sensory reactivity were significant predictors of mothers' depression. Our results indicate that sleep-related symptoms and atypical sensory reactivity should be considered in all children diagnosed with ASD. In addition, our findings emphasize the importance of paying attention to caregiver distress and depression during the process of autism detection and intervention.