Sleep Disorders in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
Summary
Children with neurodevelopmental disabilities frequently experience a broad spectrum of sleep disturbances that compound existing physical, cognitive and behavioural challenges. Disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep, circadian rhythm disruption, parasomnias and sleep-disordered breathing occur at rates two to three times those in typically developing peers. Key contributory factors include neurological impairments such as spasticity, pain and epilepsy, sensory sensitivities and behavioural comorbidities. These disturbances exert downstream effects on daytime alertness, learning, socio-emotional adjustment and overall quality of life. Assessment paradigms combine structured caregiver-reported tools, such as the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children, with objective monitoring through actigraphy or polysomnography when feasible. Optimal management requires a multidisciplinary strategy that addresses environmental and behavioural sleep hygiene, underpinned by individualised rehabilitative, pharmacological and assistive interventions. Growing evidence supports non-pharmacological approaches—environmental modifications, structured routines and targeted therapies—to alleviate sleep fragmentation and improve restorative sleep. Recognition and systematic screening for sleep difficulties within paediatric neurodevelopmental services are essential to mitigate long-term developmental and familial impacts and to foster holistic care.
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Sleep Disorders in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in sleep disorders in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep (DIMS): Characterised by difficulty falling asleep and frequent night-time awakenings.
Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB): Respiratory disturbances during sleep, including apnoea and hypoventilation.
Circadian sleep–wake rhythm disorder: Misalignment between biological timing and conventional sleep schedule.
Parasomnias: Undesirable physical events during sleep, such as sleepwalking and night terrors.
Actigraphy: Objective monitoring of sleep patterns through a wrist-worn movement sensor.
References
- Sleep and Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Review of Current Evidence and Environmental Non-Pharmacological Interventions. Children (2015).
- Evaluation of actigraphy-measured sleep patterns among children with disabilities and associations with caregivers’ educational attainment: results from a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open (2015).
- Exploring sleep problems in young children with cerebral palsy - A population-based study. European Journal of Paediatric Neurology (2020).
- The effect of intensive rehabilitation treatment on sleep disorder in children with motor delays. BMC Pediatrics (2023).
- Cerebral palsy and sleep: nonpharmacological treatment and impact on the life of caregivers – an integrative review. Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria (2024).
- Relationship between sleep disturbance and developmental status in preschool-aged children with developmental disorder. BMC Pediatrics (2024).
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