Investigating the effectiveness of an exercise intervention on sleep behaviour and problem behaviour in children ages 6-10 with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often experience problematic sleep behaviour and demonstrate low levels of participation in physical activity (PA) and exercise. There is a bidirectional relationship between sleep and exercise in children with typical development (TD), however, it is not well understood in children with ASD. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of a 4-week exercise intervention on sleep behaviour of 6-10-year-old children with ASD in comparison to controls. Sleep, problem behaviour, and the feasibility of a rating of perceived exertion scale were assessed before and after the intervention. The results showed that subjectively reported sleep behaviour improved following participation in the exercise intervention. Problem behaviour improved in both groups and the ratings of perceived exertion fell within the expected ranges. Overall, the results indicate that exercise is a feasible, non-pharmacological option for children with ASD who experience problematic sleep behaviours, but further investigation is warranted.