Abstract
Sleep problems are one of the most common complaints by autistic adults. This study aimed to report the perspectives of autistic adults on treatment of their sleep problems; 288 autistic adults living in the United Kingdom completed an online survey which assessed their sleep quality. We also gathered data on experiences and preferences of sleep treatment with UK healthcare professionals and their experiences of self-management of their sleep; 58% of autistic adults never had a visit with a healthcare professional regarding their sleep problem, despite 90% meeting the criteria for poor sleep quality. Some of those who attended a consultation for their sleep were prescribed medication (72%), but 60% were not satisfied with the outcome. The participants also reported that sleep self-management was not effective (80%); 41% reported a preference for non-medication including education, advice and talking therapies for sleep treatment. This report highlights the need for a fundamental shift in treatment of sleep problems in autistic adults. The current treatments are not resolving sleep issues; hence, it is imperative to develop management strategies that considers autistic adults' preferences, reduces sleep problems and thus improves quality of life for autistic adults.
Highlights
Increased rates of psychiatric disorders and medical conditions (e.g. autoimmune conditions, gastrointestinal (GI) and sleep disorders) are reported in autistic adults when compared with neurotypical age and sex-matched peers (Croen et al., 2015)
This study aimed to report the perspectives of autistic adults on treatment of their sleep problems; 288 autistic adults living in the United Kingdom completed an online survey which assessed their sleep quality
The majority of participants reported having a sleep problem (83%), which was supported by results of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) data, suggesting 89% of participants met the criteria for poor sleep quality
Summary
Increased rates of psychiatric disorders (e.g. anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder) and medical conditions (e.g. autoimmune conditions, gastrointestinal (GI) and sleep disorders) are reported in autistic adults when compared with neurotypical age and sex-matched peers (Croen et al., 2015). There is an unmet need around common co-existing conditions in autistic adults and limited evidence of treatments for co-occurring symptoms of disorders in autistic adults (Howes et al, 2018). In the United Kingdom, sleep medications have been reported as one of the most commonly prescribed drugs to autistic adults, despite limited evidence of their efficacy or effectiveness in this adult population (Howes et al, 2018)
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