Sleep problems and behavioral interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities

Abstract

Compared to children with typical development, sleep problems are more frequently observed in children with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities. This affects the daily activities and development of the individuals with sleep problems negatively, while also adversely affecting the other family members who are responsible for the care of these individuals and escalates their stress levels. Thus, it is important to conduct adequate interventions to eliminate sleep problems. While there are various studies on the impact of behavioral intervention methods on the examination of sleep problems in children with developmental disabilities in the international literature, there are no studies on behavioral intervention for the resolution of sleep problems, especially in the field of special education in Turkey. Therefore, the present article aimed to scrutinize behavioral sleep problems in individuals with developmental disabilities, their assessment, and behavioral intervention methods and strategies.