[Insomnia in children with autism spectrum disorder].

This review shows that sleep problems in autistic children are linked to thinking difficulties and emotional challenges, making autism symptoms worse. Poor sleep can lead to more behavioral problems, irritability, and trouble paying attention. Treating sleep issues early can improve your child's overall health and daily functioning. Doctors recommend starting with melatonin, then trying other medications if needed.

This review examines the relationship between sleep problems and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children and adolescents. The authors identify that sleep difficulties are associated with impaired cognitive function and emotional regulation, which worsen core autism symptoms and increase behavioral problems including irritability, hyperactivity, and inattention. The review emphasizes that addressing sleep issues in childhood can improve physical and mental health outcomes, as well as cognitive and adaptive functioning. A stepped medical treatment approach is recommended, beginning with pediatric long-release melatonin, followed by alimemazine, risperidone, and clonidine based on clinical response.

Sleep assessment should be routine in autism evaluations. Early intervention for sleep problems may prevent worsening of core symptoms and behavioral issues. The proposed medication algorithm provides guidance for clinicians, though evidence supporting this specific sequence is unclear from the abstract.

Sample size not reported. As a review, the quality depends on included studies which are not detailed in the abstract. The treatment algorithm appears to be expert opinion rather than evidence-based recommendations. No information provided about search strategy or study selection criteria.

In children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), an association has been identified between sleep problems, cognitive function, and affective dysregulation. This association exacerbates the core manifestations of autism and increases the risk of developing behavioral problems, irritability, hyperactivity, and inattention. The link between sleep problems and the central symptoms of ASD, along with their multiple associations with other health issues, demonstrates that addressing sleep problems from childhood improves physical and mental health, as well as cognitive and adaptive functioning. Medical treatment should follow a stepped algorithm, starting with pediatric longrelease melatonin (PRLM), followed by alimemazine, risperidone, and clonidine, depending on the patient's clinical response.