Autism spectrum disorders and sleep disturbances in a pediatric patient

INTRODUCTION Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that often presents before the child enters the educational system and is characterized by developmental deficits with impairments in three main areas [1] personal, [2] social, and [3] academic or occupational functioning. The neurodevelopmental disorders represent a group of conditions with an onset early in the developmental period. Sleep disorders are commonly reported by parents of children with an ASD diagnosis with between 50% to 80% of parents reporting sleep problems with their children. Problems can be categorized into dyssomnias (problems falling and/or remaining asleep) and parasomnias (abnormal and/or unnatural movements, behaviors, emotions, perceptions, and dreams).