Daytime Behavior Research Articles

Effects of diet and roughage quality, and period of the day on diurnal feeding behaviour patterns of sheep and goats under subtropical conditions.

ObjectiveThis study investigated the effect of diet and roughage quality (RQ) on dry matter intake, duration and number of daytime and night-time eating bouts, idling sessions and ruminating activities in small ruminants.MethodsIn Exp 1 and 2, RQ was improved by urea treatment of veld hay, while diet quality was improved by supplementing with Lucerne hay (Exp 3), sunflower meal and lespedeza (Exp 4), fish meal (Exp 5a), and sunflower meal (Exp 5b). In all experiments goats and sheep were blocked by weight and randomly allocated to experimental diets. Day-time (06:00 to 18:00 h) and night time (18:00 to 06:00 h) feeding behaviour activities were recorded.ResultsRQ affected rumination index in Exp 1, but not in Exp 2, 3, and 5. Time spent eating and ruminating was affected by RQ (Exp 1, 3, and 4), period of day (all experiments) and their interaction (Exp 1). Intake rates (g/bout and g/min) were similar across diets. Period of day affected the duration of rumination sessions (Exp 1, 2, and 3); diet or RQ affected the duration of eating bouts (Exp 3) and rumination sessions (Exp 1 and 2). RQ had a significant effect on the duration of eating sessions in Exp 3 only, whilst period of day affected this same behaviour in Exp 2 and 3. Generally, goats and sheep fed on roughage alone ruminate at night and eat more during the day but those fed a roughage and supplemented with Lucerne hay spent more time ruminating than eating. Time spent eating and ruminating had positive correlations to crude protein and feed intake. Intake rates had strong positive correlations to intake.ConclusionChewing time, number of eating and ruminating sessions, and duration of eating bouts are physiologically controlled in small ruminants, though chewing time requires isometric scaling during modelling of intake.

Sleep Dysfunction and Behavioral Daytime Problems in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Comparative Study.

To compare parent reported sleep behaviors of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and normal healthy controls and to examine the association of sleep disturbances with daytime behavioral difficulties in children with ASD. Sixty ASD children (85% boys) (Mean age=6.1 y, SD=2.4) were recruited from the Psychology unit of the Department of Pediatrics of a tertiary care hospital. An age and socio-economic status matched group of typically developing (TD) children (N=60) were also recruited. The Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) was used to measure sleep problems. The Childhood Psychopathology Measurement Schedule was used to measure day time behavioral difficulties. Sleep problems were nearly two times more prevalent among children with ASD (88.3%) as compared to the TD group (46.7%) (χ2=23.74, P=0.0001). The total CSHQ and 6 out of the 8 subscales scores of the ASD group were also significantly higher than the TD group. Overall, children with ASD displayed significant more bedtime resistance than controls (t= 3.95, P=0.001). The sleep duration subscale showed that children with ASD, relative to the TD group, slept too little (χ2=23.08, P=0.0001), did not sleep the right amount of time (χ2= 11.86, P=0.003), and displayed significant variation in the duration of time slept (χ2=11.96, P=0.003). In addition, parent reported sleep dysfunction had a significant relationship with daytime reported behavior difficulties (r=0.53, P=0.01) in children with ASD. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that 30% of the variance in number of daytime behavioral problems was explained by only two variables: total CSHQ scores and duration of night awake time (F=11.18, P=0.001). Children with ASD are at a high risk for sleep problems and this is associated with daytime behavior disturbances. Pediatricians should routinely screen ASD children for sleep problems and initiate timely and appropriate interventions.

The Impact of Aquatic Exercise on Sleep Behaviors in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often demonstrate disturbed sleep behaviors that negatively impact daytime behavior. The purpose of this study was: 1) To determine if participation in aquatic exercise improves sleep duration in children with ASD, and 2) to examine the social validity of the intervention. A within-subjects crossover design over an 8 week period was used. Participants were assigned to the intervention (aquatic exercise 2x/ week for 1 hour) or the control (no exercise) condition for 4 weeks; they then switched conditions for 4 weeks. Sleep habits were recorded using the EMFIT QS sleep monitor. The IRP-15 was administered to parents after completion of the intervention to establish social validity. Mean sleep duration for intervention versus control was compared using the Wilcoxon-Signed Ranks Test. Statistically significant improvements (p=0.012) in sleep duration were observed (intervention: 9.27 hours vs control 8.37 hours). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze IRP-15 data indicating the majority of parents strongly agreed that aquatic exercise had a positive effect on their child’s sleep. Results suggest that participation in an aquatic exercise program may lead to improved sleep duration in children with ASD, and is a socially valid intervention.

Relationships between urban flexibility and behaviors in Mashhad, Iran

The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationships between urban flexibility factors and daytime behaviors in three street-places in Mashhad city, Iran. To obtain this target, behavioral patterns such as essential, optional, and social activities were considered in field observations during warm and cold times. Thereafter, a questionnaire survey to detect flexibility factors such as permeability, versatility, and legibility was performed. Results revealed the significant direct correlations between legibility factor and social activities during both warm and cold times. The essential activities depend on permeability/versatility factors with the powerful direct correlations during the warm times. Contrarily, the significant direct correlation between mentioned factors and optional activities are observed just in cold times. On this basis, a majority of social activities during various climatic conditions can be anticipated along Imam-Reza Street as a legible place, where the most of commercial land uses, touristic hotels, hostels, restaurants, and traveling companies of Mashhad locate in two sides of this street.

A Sleep Questionnaire for Children with Severe Psychomotor Impairment (SNAKE)-Concordance with a Global Rating of Sleep Quality.

Sleep problems are a common and serious issue in children with life-limiting conditions (LLCs) and severe psychomotor impairment (SPMI). The “Sleep Questionnaire for Children with Severe Psychomotor Impairment” (Schlaffragebogen für Kinder mit Neurologischen und Anderen Komplexen Erkrankungen, SNAKE) was developed for this unique patient group. In a proxy rating, the SNAKE assesses five different dimensions of sleep(-associated) problems (disturbances going to sleep, disturbances remaining asleep, arousal and breathing disorders, daytime sleepiness, and daytime behavior disorders). It has been tested with respect to construct validity and some aspects of criterion validity. The present study examined whether the five SNAKE scales are consistent with parents’ or other caregivers’ global ratings of a child’s sleep quality. Data from a comprehensive dataset of children and adolescents with LLCs and SPMI were analyzed through correlation coefficients and Mann–Whitney U testing. The results confirmed the consistency of both sources of information. The highest levels of agreements with the global rating were achieved for disturbances in terms of going to sleep and disturbances with respect to remaining asleep. The results demonstrate that the scales and therefore the SNAKE itself is well-suited for gathering information on different sleep(-associated) problems in this vulnerable population.

Impact of a Brief Behavioral Intervention for Insomnia on Daytime Behaviors in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Behavioral sleep education has shown promise in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but has received much less study in adolescents with ASD. A pilot study of a brief sleep intervention was delivered to 18 adolescents, ages 11–18 years, and their parents. This sleep education, delivered in a two-session format, was associated with improved sleep onset delay, sleep efficiency, and other sleep parameters and sleep hygiene in adolescents with ASD during that time period. In this manuscript, the focus is on the impact this intervention and the sleep outcomes, presented in another manuscript, had on daytime behaviors. Significant improvements were seen following treatment in a direct objective measure of impulsivity and attention. A broadband parent report measure of behavior indicated significant improvements in anxiety, depression, somatization, atypical behaviors, and activities of daily living. A more focused parent report measure also indicated improvements in hyperactivity/noncompliance and lethargy. This brief behavioral sleep education program shows promising results in not only improving sleep hygiene and sleep onset latency for adolescents with ASD, but also having an impact on daytime behaviors.

A dark side of cleaning symbiosis: manned submersible observations

Cleaning is a ubiquitous interspecific interaction on shallow tropical, subtropical, and temperate reefs, involving hundreds of species in all ocean basins. This remarkable mutualism encompasses fish and/or shrimp “cleaners” that remove and consume organic debris, parasites, tissue, and mucus from “client” invertebrates (e.g., anemones, crabs, octopuses) and vertebrates (e.g., sharks, bony fishes, turtles, iguanas, and cetaceans. Often regarded as a facilitative interaction, cleaning may be an important driver of reef community structure. Cleaning evolved independently in several unrelated taxa, resulting in a remarkable diversity of interaction types and behaviors. Besides the burden of epibionts, wounds, and parasites, visual and tactile signaling comprise the proximate causation of cleaning interactions. However, there are a few examples of nocturnal cleaning on marine ecosystems, which always involve shrimps acting as cleaners. Here, we report on caridean shrimps (Decapoda: Caridea) cleaning four species of carnivorous fishes in the disphotic-aphotic transition zone (280–320 m depth), based on submersible observations at the continental shelf slope off Northeastern Brazil. This is the first record of shrimp-fish cleaning interactions in deep-cold waters, and our observations support the idea that tactile signaling is of foremost importance in such interactions. We hypothesize that the complex daytime behavior and other adaptations of dedicated cleaner shrimps may have evolved from incidental cleaning by shrimps seeking food on nocturnal shelters of larger fish, or on deep water, where vision plays a minor role.

Associations of Gross Motor Delay, Behavior, and Quality of Life in Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have gross motor delays that may accentuate problem daytime behavior and health-related quality of life (QoL). The objective of this study was to describe the degree of gross motor delays in young children with ASD and associations of gross motor delays with problem daytime behavior and QoL. The primary hypothesis was that Gross motor delays significantly modifies the associations between internalizing or externalizing problem daytime behavior and QoL. This study used a cross-sectional, retrospective analysis. Data from 3253 children who were 2 to 6 years old and who had ASD were obtained from the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network and analyzed using unadjusted and adjusted linear regression. Measures included the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, 2nd edition, gross motor v-scale score (VABS-GM) (for Gross motor delays), the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) (for Problem daytime behavior), and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) (for QoL). The mean VABS-GM was 12.12 (SD=2.2), representing performance at or below the 16th percentile. After adjustment for covariates, the internalizing CBCL t score decreased with increasing VABS-GM (β=-0.64 SE=0.12). Total and subscale PedsQL scores increased with increasing VABS-GM (for total score: β=1.79 SE=0.17; for subscale score: β=0.9-2.66 SE=0.17-0.25). CBCL internalizing and externalizing t scores decreased with increasing PedsQL total score (β=-0.39 SE=0.01; β=-0.36 SE=0.01). The associations between CBCL internalizing or externalizing t scores and PedsQL were significantly modified by VABSGM (β=-0.026 SE=0.005]; β=-0.019 SE=0.007). The study lacked ethnic and socioeconomic diversity. Measures were collected via parent report without accompanying clinical assessment. Cross motor delay was independently associated with Problem daytime behavior and QoL in children with ASD. Gross motor delay modified the association between Problem daytime behavior and QoL. Children with ASD and co-occurring internalizing Problem daytime behavior had greater Gross motor delays than children without internalizing Problem daytime behavior; therefore, these children may be most appropriate for early physical therapist evaluation.

Links between sleep and daytime behaviour problems in children with Down syndrome.

In the general population, sleep problems have an impact on daytime performance. Despite sleep problems being common among children with Down syndrome, the impact of sleep problems on daytime behaviours in school-age children with Down syndrome is an understudied topic. Our study examined the relationship between parent-reported and actigraphy-measured sleep duration and sleep quality with parent and teacher reports of daytime behaviour problems among school-age children with Down syndrome. Thirty school-age children with Down syndrome wore an actigraph watch for a week at home at night. Their parent completed ratings of the child's sleep during that same week. Their parent and teacher completed a battery of measures to assess daytime behaviour. Parent reports of restless sleep behaviours on the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire, but not actigraph-measured sleep efficiency, was predictive of parent and teacher behavioural concerns on the Nisonger Child Behaviour Rating Form and the Vanderbilt ADHD Rating Scales. Actigraph-measured sleep period and parent-reported sleep duration on the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire was predictive of daytime parent-reported inattention. Actigraph-measured sleep period was predictive of parent-reported hyperactivity/impulsivity. The study findings suggest that sleep problems have complex relationships to both parent-reported and teacher-reported daytime behaviour concerns in children with Down syndrome. These findings have implications for understanding the factors impacting behavioural concerns and their treatment in school-age children with Down syndrome.

Sleep patterns predictive of daytime challenging behavior in individuals with low-functioning autism.

We analyzed over 20,000 nights of sleep from 67 individuals with autism to investigate whether daytime behaviors can be predicted from prior sleep patterns. Better-than-chance accuracy was obtained for 81% of individuals, with measures of night-to-night variation in sleep timing and duration most relevant for accurate prediction. Our results highlight the importance of regular sleep patterns for better daytime functioning and represent a step toward the development of 'smart sleep technologies' to pre-empt behavior in individuals with autism.

Drifting space use of common cranes—Is there a mismatch between daytime behaviour and management?

Many populations of large grazing birds (cranes, geese, swans) have recovered following protection. During migration, these birds often aggregate in large numbers at staging sites and feed on agricultural crops. Because staging sites often coincide with protected wetlands, extensive crop damages may avert both bird and wetland conservation. There is a need to integrate damage mitigation and conservation of large grazing birds staging in agricultural landscapes, based on knowledge of large grazing birds’ spacing behavior. Their space use forms the basis for assessment of damage risk and for the scale at which measures should be implemented. We used high-resolution GPS location data to assess space use of common cranes (Grus grus) at an important staging site in south-central Sweden. We focus on daytime behaviour because this is the time when foraging cranes may cause crop damage and when preventive measures such as scaring and culling are conducted. We found that the daily activity area (mean 4.4km2) did not vary within staging periods. Cranes exhibited high site fidelity during staging, as their activity area over the staging period (mean 15.6km2) was considerably smaller than the entire staging site (>200km2). However, on a daily scale cranes gradually shifted activity areas, forming a space use pattern analogous to overlapping rings. This pattern is presumably explained by heterogeneous and unpredictable food availability caused by continuous changes in agricultural practices, weather conditions and competition. Considering the size of crane activity areas over the staging period and the scale of current damage preventive measures (e.g., hunting permissions given for a few fields [mean size 0.049km2] at a time), we suggest that current preventive measures might be implemented on a too small scale compared to that of crane space use. Our findings highlight the necessity of adapting crop damage preventive measures to the scale of bird space use to facilitate both bird conservation and agricultural practices at wetlands staging sites along the flyways.

Could Treating Childhood Insomnia Reduce Psychiatric Disorders?

Could Treating Childhood Insomnia Reduce Psychiatric Disorders?

Early to bed, early to rise: sleep perceptions, patterns and related behaviors in ultra-orthodox Jewish adolescents in Israel

ObjectivesStudies have described biological and environmental mechanisms underlying adolescent sleep, yet the role of culture has received little attention. Ultra-orthodox (Haredi) Judaism adheres to a traditional lifestyle. To examine how culture and lifestyle are associated with sleep, this study compared sleep perceptions, habits, and patterns and related daytime behaviors among ultra-orthodox and secular Jewish adolescents. MethodsA sample of 178 healthy adolescents (116 ultra-orthodox, 77 males, ages 13–17) gathered via snowball sampling completed the School Sleep Habits Survey to assess sleep perceptions, habits, patterns (timing and duration), and related behaviors (sleepiness, mood, sleep-problem behaviors). Chi-square tests compared group sleep perceptions and habits. MANCOVAs tested GROUP, GENDER, and GROUP × GENDER interactions for sleep patterns and related behaviors, controlling for school start time, media devices, and habitual prayer. ResultsCompared with the secular group, ultra-orthodox adolescents perceived their sleep as more satisfactory (P<.05) and reported shorter sleep onset latency (P<.001). Ultra-orthodox males reported earlier bedtimes and longer sleep duration on school nights, earlier bed and wake times and shorter sleep duration on non-school nights, and less sleepiness and fewer sleep-problem behaviors (P<.05) than their group and gender counterparts. ConclusionsUltra-orthodox males exhibited early and regular sleep timing that may be considered unique among healthy adolescents. Our comparison of sleep and related behaviors in adolescents having common hereditary backgrounds yet distinct cultural backgrounds provides insights into the cultural underpinnings of adolescent sleep. Professionals who work with adolescents should be aware of changes in sleep in the cultural context.

Japanese Sleep Questionnaire for Elementary Schoolers (JSQ-ES): validation and population-based score distribution

ObjectiveThe Japanese Sleep Questionnaire for Elementary Schoolers (JSQ-ES) was developed to measure the sleep habits and disturbances of Japanese children. The current study aimed to present psychometric properties and describe the score distribution of the JSQ-ES. In addition, it examined correlations between the sleep and daytime behavior of school-aged children. MethodGuardians of 4369 elementary school children and 100 children diagnosed with sleep disorders in two clinics completed the JSQ-ES. ResultsExploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis suggested a nine-factor structure. The JSQ-ES internal consistency was 0.876 and 0.907 for the community and clinical groups, respectively. Score distribution differences were observed between the two groups. A cut-off point of 80 was identified for the total JSQ-ES score. ConclusionsExploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis suggested a nine-factor structure: (1) restless legs syndrome; (2) sleep-disordered breathing; (3) morning symptoms; (4) nighttime awakenings; (5) insomnia; (6) excessive daytime sleepiness; (7) daytime behavior; (8) sleep habits; and (9) irregular/delayed sleep phase. The study verified that the JSQ-ES is a valid and reliable instrument with which to evaluate Japanese sleep habits using a large population-based sample. The JSQ-ES may be useful in both clinical and academic settings.

"We need people to collaborate together against this disease": A qualitative exploration of perceptions of dengue fever control in caregivers' of children under 5 years, in the Peruvian Amazon

BackgroundDengue Fever presents a significant and growing burden of disease to endemic countries, where children are at particular risk. Worldwide, no effective anti-viral treatment has been identified, thus vector control is key for disease prevention, particularly in Peru where no vaccine is currently available. This qualitative study aimed to explore the perceptions of dengue control in caregivers’ of children under 5 years in Peru, to help direct future mosquito control programmes and strategy.MethodsEighteen semi-structured interviews were conducted in one health centre in Iquitos, Peru. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and translated by an independent translator. Data were analysed using an inductive thematic approach.FindingsThree core analytic themes were interpreted: (1) awareness of dengue and its control, (2) perceived susceptibility of children, rural riverside communities and city inhabitants, and (3) perceived responsibility of vector control. Participants were aware of dengue symptoms, transmission and larvae eradication strategies. Misconceptions about the day-time biting behaviour of the Aedes aegypti mosquito and confusion with other mosquito-borne diseases influenced preventative practice. Community-wide lack of cooperation was recognised as a key barrier. This was strengthened by attitudes that the government or health centre were responsible for dengue control and a belief that the disease cannot be prevented through individual actions. Participants felt powerless to prevent dengue due to assumed inevitability of infection and lack of faith in preventative practices. However, children and rural communities were believed to be most vulnerable.ConclusionsPerceptions of dengue control amongst caregivers to under 5’s were important in shaping their likelihood to participate in preventative practices. There is a need to address the perceived lack of community cooperation through strategies creating a sense of ownership of community control and enhancing social responsibility. The belief that dengue cannot be prevented by individual actions in a community also warrants attention. Specific misconceptions about dengue should be addressed through the community health worker system and further research directed to identify the needs of certain vulnerable groups.

Behavioral and psychological symptoms: A contribution for their understanding based on the unmet needs model

IntroductionBehavioural and psychological symptoms (BPSD) are frequent in dementia and their contribution to poor health outcomes is well recognized. Four major frameworks attempt an explanation their aetiology: biological, behavioural, environmental vulnerability and unmet needs models. The latter states that BPSD are symptoms of needs that are not being met due to patients’ decreased ability to communicate/fulfil them. This model also implies that if needs were met, BPSD would improve.AimsTo explore the relation between needs and BPSD, and describe which unmet needs were contributing to BPSD in an elderly sample.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in three Portuguese nursing homes. All residents were considered eligible. However, those unwilling or unable to participate were excluded. For each elderly patient, needs were assessed with camberwell assessment of need for the elderly/cane and BPSD with European Portuguese neuropsychiatric inventory/NPI.ResultsThe final sample included 166 elderly with an average of 80.9(sd = 10.2) years. Significant correlations between NPI and unmet and global needs were found (rs = 0.181,P = 0.020; rs = 0.254,P = 0.001, respectively). Additionally, the unmet needs of daytime activities (P = 0.019), company (P = 0.028) and behaviour (P = 0.001), presented significant correlations with NPI.ConclusionIn this sample, a high number of unmet needs were found. The absence of daytime activities, company and behaviour contributed to the identified BPSD, which is in line with other studies also highlighting the importance of these needs in nursing homes. This not only provides a framework for understanding BPSD, but also points to the identification of unmet needs as pivotal in prevention and treatment of these symptoms.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

A Sleep Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study

Background: Parents of children who have Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) commonly report sleep problems, which typically exacerbate daytime behavior problems. This pilot study sought to identify the short-term effects on sleep, behavior challenges, attention, and quality of life of children with ASD following use of the iLs Dreampad™ pillow, which delivers bone conducted music and environmental sounds. Aims were to demonstrate acceptability and feasibility, identify measures sensitive to change, and describe individual characteristics responsive to change.

Self-reported sleep quantity, quality and sleep hygiene in elite athletes.

Sleep is essential for recovery and performance in elite athletes. While actigraphy-based studies revealed suboptimal sleep in athletes, information on their subjective experience of sleep is scarce. Relatively unexplored is also the extent to which athletes' sleep is adversely affected by environmental conditions and daytime behaviours, that is sleep hygiene. This study aimed to provide insight in sleep quantity, quality and its putative association with sleep hygiene. Participants were 98 elite (youth) athletes competing at the highest (inter-)national level. Sleep quantity, quality and sleep hygiene were assessed once covering a 1-month period by using established (sub)clinical questionnaires, and repeatedly during 7 consecutive days. Sleep quality was generally healthy, although 41% of all athletes could be classified as 'poor sleeper', and 12% were identified as having a sleep disorder. Daily self-monitoring revealed sleep durations of 8:11±0:45h, but elevated wake after sleep onset of 13±19min. Sleep quality, feeling refreshed, and morning vigor were moderate at best. Regarding sleep hygiene, general measures revealed irregular sleep-wake patterns, psychological strain and activating pre-sleep behaviours. At the daily level, blue-light exposure and late-evening consumption of heavy meals were frequently reported. General sleep hygiene revealed significant associations with sleep quality (0.45<r>0.50; P<0.001). Results indicate that there is ample room for optimization, specifically in onset latency and in wake after sleep onset. Subtle improvements in sleep seem possible, and optimizing sleep hygiene, such as regular sleep-wake patterns and reducing psychological strain, may facilitate this sleep upgrading process.

Reported Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in a Group of Saudi Children

Objective: To report the most commonly experienced night and daytime behavior and symptoms by a group of Saudi OSA children and compare them with a healthy control. Methods: 27 mothers of OSA children (study group) and 27 mothers of healthy, none OSA children, with comparable age and gender, (control group) answered the study questionnaire, on behalf of their children, about sleep-time and daytime behavior and symptoms. Results: The mean (±SD) yes answers for the night-time questions for the study group was 6.07 (±2.759), and 0.7 (±0.8) for the control. For the daytime, the mean yes answers was 1.6 (±0.9) for the study and 0.19 (±0.3) for the control group. Independent samples t-test showed statistically significant differences between the means P=0.000. A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in the responses for ten of the evaluated night-time symptoms and only one of the daytime symptoms. Conclusions: 1. OSA children had significantly more night and daytime symptoms than the control. 2. Chronic, heavy snoring, difficult breathing during sleep, mouth breathing (during sleep and daytime), and restless sleep were the most commonly reported symptoms.

Symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome in Biological Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

In this study, we investigated the prevalence of symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in biological caregivers of children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).The relationship of RLS symptoms to caregiver health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was also examined. Finally, we compared the sleep quality and daytime behaviors of children with ASD in caregivers with and without symptoms of RLS. Biological caregivers (n = 50) of children ages 6 to 11 y with a diagnosis of ASD completed a Sleep Habits Questionnaire (SHQ) that included RLS as determined by four questions. HRQoL was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Survey (MOS) 12-Item Short Form (SF-12). Caregivers also completed the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL6/18). Eleven caregivers (22%) fit the criteria for RLS symptomatology and caregivers with RLS reported poorer mental health. Caregivers with RLS described more night waking and greater internalized behavior problems in their children with ASD than the caregivers without RLS. Biological caregivers of children with ASD demonstrated a high prevalence of RLS symptoms and poorer mental health. RLS is known as a sleep disorder that has strong heritability, and it is possible that many of the children with ASD also have symptoms of RLS. RLS as a possible disruptor of sleep should be considered in caregivers and in their children with ASD.