World Sleep Day, an awareness event dedicated to celebrating the importance of healthy sleep, is observed annually on the Friday before the spring vernal equinox. This year, it will be celebrated on March 14, 2025. This global initiative highlights the critical role of sleep in overall health and well-being, aiming to educate individuals about common sleep disorders and promote better sleep habits.
As mental health professionals, a significant part of our work with parents revolves around acceptance, educating them on good sleep hygiene, and helping them recognize whether their child is sleeping well. Many parents seek guidance on what is considered normal sleep for their children, both typically developing and those with learning disabilities. Understanding these patterns is crucial, as sleep significantly impacts cognitive development, behaviour, and overall well-being.
Recommended Sleep Patterns in Children
Sleep requirements evolve as children grow, reflecting developmental changes. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) provides age-specific guidelines for optimal sleep duration:
- Infants (4-12 months): 12-16 hours per 24 hours, including naps.
- Children 1-2 years: 11-14 hours per 24 hours, including naps.
- Children 3-5 years: 10-13 hours per 24 hours, including naps.
- Children 6-12 years: 9-12 hours per 24 hours.
- Teenagers 13-18 years: 8-10 hours per 24 hours.
These recommendations are associated with improved attention, behaviour, learning, memory, emotional regulation, and overall mental and physical health (Paruthi et al., 2016). For instance, school-aged children (6-12 years) benefit from 9 to 12 hours of sleep, which supports their academic performance and daily functioning (Paruthi et al., 2016).
Sleep Patterns in Neurodiverse Children
Children with developmental disorders often experience sleep disturbances that differ from their typically developing peers. These disruptions can exacerbate cognitive and behavioural challenges, making addressing sleep issues in this population essential.
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD): Research indicates that children with ASD sleep 17 to 43 minutes less per day than their peers, starting from 30 months of age. This reduction is primarily due to later bedtimes and earlier waking times. Frequent night awakenings are also common in children with ASD (Humphreys et al., 2014).
- Intellectual disabilities (IDs): Children with IDs have been found to have shorter sleep durations compared to typically developing children. A study revealed that children with IDs slept less and experienced more frequent night awakenings, impacting their daytime functioning (Saletovic et al., 2021).
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Children with ADHD often struggle with sleep, receiving less rest and experiencing more disruptions than their peers. These sleep difficulties can exacerbate ADHD symptoms, leading to increased hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and aggression.
Addressing Sleep Issues in Children
Children with intellectual disabilities, ADHD, and ASD often require tailored interventions to improve their sleep quality.
- Behavioral interventions: Establishing consistent bedtime routines, using visual schedules, and implementing positive reinforcement strategies can significantly enhance sleep patterns in children with developmental disorders, including ADHD and ASD (Wiggs & Stores, 1996). Techniques such as limiting screen time before bed and using weighted blankets for sensory regulation may also be beneficial.
- Pharmacological approaches: In some cases, medications like melatonin have been used to address sleep-onset difficulties, particularly in children with ASD and ADHD. While melatonin has shown promise in regulating sleep-wake cycles, its long-term efficacy and safety require careful consideration (Stores, 2001). Additionally, managing comorbid conditions such as anxiety or hyperactivity through appropriate interventions can indirectly support better sleep.
A multimodal approach, incorporating behavioral strategies alongside medical consultation when necessary, is often the most effective way to address sleep disturbances in these children.
