Description of a Sleep-Restriction Program to Reduce Bedtime Disturbances and Night Waking

The authors describe a behavioral intervention designed to reduce sleep problems without increasing disruption at bedtime or throughout the evening. Sleep restriction was used to reduce the bedtime and nighttime sleep problems of two children, a 4-year-old girl with autism and a 4-year-old girl with developmental delay. Sleep restriction involved reducing the number of hours each child slept while maintaining a consistent bedtime and awake time. Once the program was successful, the amount of sleep was faded back to an age-appropriate level. The sleep-restriction programs appeared to result in the elimination of bedtime disturbances and the reduction of nighttime awakenings. The authors discuss the effectiveness of this behavioral intervention for the treatment of sleep disturbances in children with developmental disabilities.