• Frascarelli L

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Open Access Document
• Parents
• Pediatric Chiropractic
• Sleep

The aim of this study was to examine the impact sleep quality of autistic children had on parental stress levels. Parental report was collected from five mothers who had children who had previously been diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Parents were recruited from a small sensory gym while their children were participating in class. The modified Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and Parental Stress Scale were utilized to collect data. Consistent with previous research it appeared that sleep problems in autistic children correlated with increased
parent stress levels as reported on the Parental Stress Scale. Maladaptive bedtime behaviors had a significant correlation with parent’s stress levels compared to other aspects of the modified CSHQ. The results of this study should be utilized with previous research to provide evidence for the inclusion of sleep as an intervention focus for autistic children. Interventions aimed at helping these children improve their quality of sleep could help decrease the amount of stress seen in parents.

Author Keywords: autism, autism spectrum disorder, ASD, sleep, parent, parent stress.

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