Halstead, E;
Sullivan, E;
Zambelli, Z;
Ellis, JG;
Dimitriou, D;
(2021)
The treatment of sleep problems in autistic adults in the United Kingdom.
Autism
, Article 13623613211007226. 10.1177/13623613211007226.
(In press).
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Abstract
LAY 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.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | The treatment of sleep problems in autistic adults in the United Kingdom. |
| Location: | England |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13623613211007226 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613211007226 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits any use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access pages (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage). |
| Keywords: | autism spectrum disorders, health services, melatonin, sleep |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education > IOE - Psychology and Human Development |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10127690 |
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