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| Sleep Issues in Autism Spectrum Children |
| Friday, May 26, 2006 |
| 10:00 AM–5:00 PM |
| Dunwoody |
| Area: AUT; Domain: Applied Research |
| CE Instructor: Robert W. Montgomery, Ph.D. |
| ROBERT W. MONTGOMERY (Reinforcement Unlimited) |
| Description: Pediatric sleeplessness and sleep disruptions are among the most common concerns of all parents. Sleep concerns are also among the most common of concerns expressed by parents of ASD Children to their pediatricians. Excessive sleepiness in a child is a symptom that is often under recognized and misinterpreted, but when left untreated can exacerbate or lead to serious behavioral, academic, developmental, and medical consequences. Pediatric sleeplessness is widely prevalent and often behaviorally based. Research supports that pediatric sleeplessness can be treated effectively with nonpharmacologic interventions. This workshop reviews the nature of sleep and sleep disruption (including common pediatric sleep disorders), and introduces the participant to behavioral treatment strategies (e.g., extinction, parent education, positive routines, sleep hygiene). Finally, behavioral issues and research on sleep for children in the autism spectrum are integrated throughout the presentation. |
| Learning Objectives: 1) Participants will be able to identify 3 major forms of sleep disturbance. 2) Participants will be able to identify the major reasons for a medical referral relating to sleep disturbance. 3) Participants will be able to explain the implications of various medication classes on sleep. 4) Participants will be able to explain the research support of the use of melatonin for pediatric sleeplessness. 5) Participants will be able to identify the 5 stages of sleep. 6) Participants will be able to implement a BEARS screening assessment of sleep disturbance. 7) Participants will be able to distinguish between Extinction and Graduated Extinction as they relate in the literature to sleep hygiene and sleep disturbance. |
| Activities: Workshop participants will participate in didactic presentation, case-examples, individual completion of a sleep hygiene assessment, and question and answer session. |
| Audience: Those who work with children and adolescents in the Autism Spectrum. |
| Content Area: Practice |
| Instruction Level: Basic |