Sleep Restriction Therapy (SRT) for Sleep Problems in Children With Autism

Launched by STANFORD UNIVERSITY · Oct 2, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a treatment called Sleep Restriction Therapy (SRT) to help children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who have trouble sleeping. The goal is to see if this therapy is acceptable, manageable, and effective for improving sleep problems. Parents will receive training through a secure online platform to help them implement the therapy at home.

To participate, children must be diagnosed with ASD and have sleep issues that have been confirmed through interviews and specific questionnaires. They should also be stable on their medications for at least two weeks, and their parents need to be English-speaking and able to take part consistently. However, children with severe psychiatric disorders, unstable medical conditions, or specific sleep disorders like circadian rhythm issues won't be eligible. This study is not yet recruiting participants, but it aims to provide valuable insights into how to improve sleep for children with autism.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (based on history, review of available medical records including diagnostic testing, e.g., Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and/or Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised, Childhood Autism Rating Scale-2)
• • with sleep disturbances (based on clinical interview, and Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children score \> 38)
• • stable pre-existing medication plans for at least 2 weeks
• • no planned changes in psychosocial and biomedical interventions during the intervention
• • an English-speaking parent able to consistently participate in study procedures
• • reside in California, USA
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • parent or child diagnosed with severe psychiatric disorder or unstable medical problem
• • children with active seizures or epilepsy
• • primary sleep disorder is a circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder, as determined by the sleep interview and Children's ChronoType Questionnaire.
• • current active trial of sleep restriction therapy or history of an adequate trial of sleep restriction therapy.