“I Need Sleep Now”: A Qualitative Study of Sleep and Mothers of Autistic Individuals

Objective This qualitative study examined the experiences of mothers of autistic individuals and how the autistic individual's sleep patterns influenced the mother's sleep and daily activities. Background Previous research has shown that sleep problems are common among the autistic population. When offspring have sleep issues, parental sleep is often interrupted, impacting multiple areas of functioning. Method We conducted a reflexive thematic analysis on interview data collected from 11 mothers of autistic individuals with sleep problems in the United States. Results Four themes were identified: it's never predictable, you're always on alert, I cannot sleep like this anymore, and sleep is the secret ingredient. These themes collectively show the interconnected nature between sleep disturbances experienced by autistic offspring and mother's sleep. Conclusion Guided by the family systems theory, sleep problems in autistic individuals affect the quantity, quality, and mental health of their mothers. The resulting chronic sleep deprivation causes difficulties engaging in everyday activities and social relationships. Implications Our findings reveal that when autistic offspring experience sleep problems, the family unit is affected. Service providers must be aware of the widespread effects sleep deprivation may have on family engagement and learning.