Sleep problems in handicapped children: a preliminary study

J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 1986 May;27(3):399-407. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.1986.tb01841.x.

Abstract

Data are reported from an exploratory study looking at the prevalence of sleep problems (broken sleep and limited hours of sleep) in a population of handicapped children. Some degree of difficulty occurred in over a third of the population. There were strong associations with age, a range of serious daytime behavioural difficulties and indices of family stress. Some support for distinct subgroups (night waking, limited hours) was obtained. The implications of these findings are discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Autistic Disorder / complications
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Family
  • Humans
  • Mental Disorders / complications*
  • Psychotic Disorders / complications
  • Self Mutilation / complications
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / complications*