Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on sleep in children with autism spectrum disorders.

Abstract

The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on sleep of participants with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was assessed. Parents of 111 children and adolescents with ASD filled out an anonymous online survey shared via social media, investigating the sleep patterns and disturbances before and during the lockdown. The lockdown changed significantly the bedtime on weekdays in 57.8% of participants with ASD (56.9% delayed; 0.9% advanced) and the rise time in 69.2% (61.7% delayed and 7.5% advanced). Sleep duration varied on weekdays in 49.1% (24.1% increased; 25% decreased). During the lockdown, participants with ASD showed a significant increase of sleep disturbances, compared to the preceding period, especially falling asleep (35.1% vs 22.5%), anxiety at bedtime (22.5% vs 10.8%), sleep terrors (5.4% vs 0%), and daytime sleepiness (14.4% vs 3.6%). Lockdown affected sleep of patients with ASD, showing an increase of difficulty in falling asleep, anxiety at bedtime, sleep terrors, and daytime sleepiness. The outbreak of COVID-19 significantly worsened sleep disturbances of children with ASD. Bruni O, Melegari MG, Breda M, etal. Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on sleep in children with autism spectrum disorders. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(1):137-143.