Melatonin: An option for managing sleep disorders in children with autism spectrum disorder

Sleep disorders arise from a variety of causes and are thought to affect 20–30% of typically developing (i.e., non-special-needs) children.1 This frequency increases to up to 80% in children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD).1,–3 A broad 2006 consensus statement on the management of pediatric insomnia defined sleep disorders as “repeated difficulty with sleep initiation, duration, consolidation, or quality that occurs despite age-appropriate time and opportunity for sleep and results in daytime functional impairment for the child and/or family.”4 While typically developing children tend to grow out of their sleep problems by mid-childhood, problems in individuals with developmental disabilities are usually chronic, more severe, and more difficult to manage.1,2,5–7 Chronic sleep disorders can cause or aggravate behavior problems including hyperactivity, irritability, restlessness, poor concentration, impulsiveness, and worsening of social interactions, repetitive behaviors, and affective problems.4,8 The effects of sleeplessness are not limited to the child. Chronic sleep disorders also affect caregivers and siblings, presenting additional challenges to those who are caring for a child with a developmental disability.2, 4, 5