The Impact of Sensory Processing on Sleep among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction: Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Many studies on sleep in children with ASD have reported a high incidence of irregular sleep patterns and poor sleep quality. Recent research has highlighted the potential link between Sensory Processing (SP) difficulties and sleep disturbances in children with ASD. Therefore, a comprehensive knowledge of the evidence exploring the relationship between SP and sleep in children with ASD is needed to provide insights into targeted interventions and support strategies to improve sleep outcomes and the overall quality of life in children with ASD. Aim: This systematic review aims to investigate the relationship between SP and sleep in children with ASD aged 3 to 12 years. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search of articles was conducted across databases, including Scopus, PubMed, and OTseeker. The following major keywords were used during the database searches: Sensory processing, sensory integration, sensory processing disorder, sensory integration disorder, sleep, sleep disorder, sleep problems, sleep disturbances, and autism spectrum disorder. The McMaster Critical Review Form for Quantitative Studies was utilised to evaluate the methodological quality of the included articles. Results: Through electronic and manual searches, 2,612 articles were identified after removing duplicates. Among these, nine articles published between January 2012 and December 2022 met the predetermined inclusion criteria. Of these, eight studies reported a statistically significant correlation between SP difficulties and sleep disturbances. Conclusion: This review underscores the significant impact of SP challenges on the sleep quality of children diagnosed with ASD, aged 3 to 12 years.

Keywords

• autistic disorder
• perception
• sleep wake disorders