Three sleep-related disorders affecting young people with ASD

Sleep plays a vital role in emotional regulation, learning, memory, and overall wellbeing – yet for many young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), restful nights are elusive. Research consistently shows that individuals with neurodivergent conditions are more likely to experience sleep disorders than their neurotypical peers. In fact, studies suggest between 50-80% of children with ASD have some form of sleep disturbance.

Here, we explore three of the most common sleep-related disorders that affect young people with ASD.

Insomnia

Insomnia is when you struggle to fall asleep and/or stay asleep, and it’s one of the most common sleep problems for people with ASD. Heightened anxiety, sensory sensitivities, and differences in the way the body regulates the sleep-wake cycle can all contribute to insomnia.

In children with ASD, melatonin is often dysregulated, so their bodies may not produce the hormone in the right amounts or at the right times. Chronic insomnia can exacerbate emotional dysregulation, attention difficulties, and repetitive behaviours. It can also increase irritability and reduce a child’s ability to cope with daily routines and expectations.

Delayed sleep phase disorder (DSPD)

DSPS is a circadian rhythm disorder which causes a person’s natural sleep-wake cycle to be significantly delayed. A child or young person with this condition may not feel sleepy until very late at night – sometimes not until 1am or later – and then, understandably, will struggle to wake up in the morning.

Again, this is thought to happen because people with ASD often have atypical internal body clocks, and have trouble producing melatonin at the right times. They may also be more sensitive to artificial lighting in the evening, such as screens, which can delay melatonin release and the natural onset of sleepiness.

With school times and other obligations demanding early wake-up times, people with DSPD may end up sleep-deprived, which can impair memory, cognitive function, and mood, making social and academic environments more challenging.

Sleep apnoea

Sleep apnoea involves brief interruptions in breathing during sleep. It can present as loud snoring, restless sleep, gasping throughout the night, or excessive daytime tiredness even after many hours of sleep. Though it's less specific to young people with ASD, it’s important to consider in children with co-occurring conditions such as low muscle tone, obesity, enlarged tonsils, or craniofacial abnormalities – all of which may increase the risk of apnoea.

Sleep apnoea disrupts deep sleep stages, which are crucial for growth, immune function, and brain development. Untreated, it can amplify hyperactivity, attention issues, or behavioural meltdowns.

Getting help

Sleep-related disorders are distressing for both children and their caregivers, and can deeply impact family life. But there are steps you can take to alleviate symptoms and build better sleep patterns for the whole family. Creating calming bedtime routines and limiting screens at least an hour beforehand can help, but don’t be afraid to seek professional advice if problems persist or become worse. Some children with ASD are prescribed melatonin as a supplement, or you may be referred to a sleep clinic in more complex cases – especially if sleep apnoea or severe circadian rhythm disorders are suspected.

Early intervention is key to improving sleep, and a care plan needs to be implemented that focuses on compassionate support. As young people face the demands of school and university, effective sleep is essential to support their learning and development.

Author bio: Jason Trent

As a person who has ASD, Jason understands the difficulties of everyday life with this condition. He works with young people to help them navigate education and sleep issues, so that they can get the rest and results they deserve.