Randomised Controlled Trial of a Behavioural Sleep Intervention, 'Sleeping Sound', for Autistic Children: 12-Month Outcomes and Moderators of Treatment

Emily Pattison; Nicole Papadopoulos; Matthew Fuller-Tyszkiewicz; Emma Sciberras; Harriet Hiscock; Katrina Williams; Jane McGillivray; Cathrine Mihalopoulos; Susannah T Bellows; Deborah Marks; Patricia Howlin; Nicole Rinehart

doi:10.1007/s10803-022-05809-3

Randomised Controlled Trial of a Behavioural Sleep Intervention, 'Sleeping Sound', for Autistic Children: 12-Month Outcomes and Moderators of Treatment

J Autism Dev Disord. 2024 Feb;54(2):442-457. doi: 10.1007/s10803-022-05809-3. Epub 2022 Nov 21.

Authors

Emily Pattison¹, Nicole Papadopoulos², Matthew Fuller-Tyszkiewicz³, Emma Sciberras^{1

4

5}, Harriet Hiscock^{4

5

6}, Katrina Williams^{4

5

7}, Jane McGillivray¹, Cathrine Mihalopoulos^{8

9}, Susannah T Bellows¹, Deborah Marks⁶, Patricia Howlin¹⁰, Nicole Rinehart²

Affiliations

¹ School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia.
² Krongold Clinic, School of Educational Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Education, Monash University, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.
³ School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia. matthew.fuller-tyszkiewicz@deakin.edu.au.
⁴ Murdoch Children's Research Institute, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
⁵ Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
⁶ Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
⁷ Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Monash Children's Hospital, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.
⁸ Deakin Health Economics Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia.
⁹ School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.
¹⁰ Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK.

Abstract

This study examined the sustained and moderating effects of a behavioural sleep intervention for autistic children in a randomised controlled trial. Autistic children (5-13 years) with sleep problems were randomised to the Sleeping Sound intervention or Treatment as Usual (TAU). At 12-month follow-up (n = 150), caregivers of children in the Sleeping Sound group reported greater reduction in child sleep problems compared to TAU (p < .001, effect size: - 0.4). The long-term benefits of the intervention were greater for children taking sleep medication, children of parents who were not experiencing psychological distress, and children with greater autism severity. The Sleeping Sound intervention demonstrated sustained improvements in child sleep. Identified moderators may inform treatment by indicating which subgroups may benefit from further support.

Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; Follow-up; Intervention; Moderator; RCT; Sleep.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Autism Spectrum Disorder* / therapy
Autistic Disorder* / psychology
Autistic Disorder* / therapy
Behavior Therapy
Child
Humans
Parents / psychology
Sleep
Sleep Wake Disorders* / therapy

Grants and funding

1101989/National Health and Medical Research Council