Recommendations for assessing and managing sleep problems in children with neurodevelopmental conditions

Purpose of Review

This review draws upon the authors’ practical experience of assessing sleep in children with neurodevelopmental conditions alongside empirical evidence of recommendations for clinicians and researchers to support assessment of sleep problems and strategies to promote healthy sleep in children with specific neurodevelopmental conditions. These include communication about sleep, mental health/behavioural considerations, pain, sensory profile, epilepsy, melatonin secretion profiles, sleep-disordered breathing and restless leg syndrome.

Recent Findings

This review has a particular focus on children with autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder, Down syndrome, Smith-Magenis syndrome, Angelman syndrome, William’s syndrome and cerebral palsy.

Summary

Sleep disturbance varies in severity between neurodevelopmental conditions and the need for individualised assessment is emphasised. The impact of children’s poor sleep on parents is highlighted as a particular concern. A checklist of recommendations and example resources for clinicians to enquire about sleep in children with neurodevelopmental conditions has been included in a summary table.