Treatment of Sleep Disturbances in Young Children with Autism

描述（由申请人提供）：自闭症谱系障碍（自闭症障碍，广泛性发育障碍，自闭症障碍）是儿童早期发病的严重发育障碍，影响多达1/150的儿童（疾病控制与预防中心，2007）。他们的特点是缺乏社会交往和沟通，以及重复的行为和有限的利益（阿帕，2000年）。鉴于自闭症的严重性和流行性，自闭症是一个重大的公共卫生问题。近年来，孤独症的患病率有所增加，并且更早地诊断这种疾病的能力有所提高（Fombonne，2003）。人们普遍认为，在儿童早期，强化干预最有可能改善长期预后（国家研究理事会，2001年）。虽然不是自闭症的核心特征，但人们普遍认为，很大比例的自闭症谱系障碍（自闭症）儿童存在严重的睡眠问题（Honomichl，Goodlin-Jones，Burnham，Gaylor & Anders，2002;约翰逊，1996; Wiggs & Stores，2004）。通常发育中的儿童的睡眠问题会对日间功能，学习能力以及养育和家庭功能产生不利影响（Dahl，1996; Ebert & Drake，2004; Sadeh，Gruber，&Raviv; 2002; Sadeh，Raviv，& Gruber，2000）。对于自闭症儿童来说，他们的发展已经受到一系列缺陷的影响，睡眠障碍的有害影响可能更加显著。然而，睡眠障碍对行为和教育干预的最佳表现的影响尚未得到系统的探讨。作为对计划公告（PA-07-343 -自闭症谱系障碍的心理社会/行为干预和服务研究）的响应，本申请描述了一项试点研究，以进行随机临床试验，以评估行为父母培训计划在改善自闭症幼儿睡眠障碍方面的疗效。本研究旨在探讨自闭症儿童睡眠障碍行为训练的可行性、可接受性及有效性。它代表了一种低成本和快速的临床方法，在这个年轻的年龄组的问题。 公共卫生相关性：这个试验项目将评估与家长教育计划相比，家长行为训练计划对自闭症幼儿睡眠障碍的有效性。年龄在2至5岁之间的儿童被诊断患有自闭症谱系障碍，他们也有明显的睡眠障碍，将被招募参加这项为期2个月的研究。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Autism Spectrum Disorders (Autistic Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Asperger Disorder) are severe developmental disorders of early childhood onset affecting as many as 1 in 150 children (Center for Disease Control & Prevention, 2007). They characterized by deficits in social interaction and communication, as well as repetitive behavior and restricted interests (APA, 2000). Given the severity and the prevalence, autism is a significant public health issue. Recent years have seen both an increase in the prevalence of autism and an improved ability to diagnose the disorder much earlier (Fombonne, 2003). It is during the child's early years when it is generally agreed that intensive interventions are most likely to improve long term prognosis (National Research Council, 2001). While not a core feature of autism, it is widely accepted that a large percentage children with autism spectrum disorders (autism) present with significant sleep issues (Honomichl, Goodlin-Jones, Burnham, Gaylor & Anders, 2002; Johnson, 1996; Wiggs & Stores, 2004). Sleep problems in typically developing children are known to adversely impact daytime functioning, learning acquisition, as well as parenting and family functioning (Dahl, 1996; Ebert & Drake, 2004; Sadeh, Gruber, & Raviv; 2002; Sadeh, Raviv, & Gruber, 2000). For young children with autism whose development is already compromised by a range of deficits, the detrimental impact of sleep disturbances may be even more significant. However, the impact of sleep disturbances on optimal performance in behavioral and education interventions has not been systematically explored. In response to the Program Announcement (PA-07-343 - Psychosocial / Behavioral Intervention and Services Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders), this application describes a pilot study to conduct a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of a behavioral parent training program in the amelioration of sleep disturbances in young children with autism. This work will be used to examine the feasibility, acceptability and efficacy of a behavior training program for sleep disturbance in children with autism. It represents a low cost and rapid clinical approach to the problem in this younger age group. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: This pilot project will evaluate the efficacy of a behavioral parent training program for sleep disturbance in young children with autism compared to a parent education program. Children between the ages of 2 and 5 years diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder who also have significant sleep disturbance will be recruited for this 2 month study.