Causes and contributors to sleep difficulties in autism

Beth Ann Malow, MD, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, discusses the importance of taking a holistic approach when treating sleep disorders in patients with autism. Prof. Malow first explains that with autism, there is a tendency to emphasize one factor, such as melatonin production, as the root cause of sleep disorders in these patients. However, there may be many other factors to consider, such as sleep apnea, gastrointestinal issues, screen use, current medication, and more. To conclude, Prof. Malow explains that taking all these factors into consideration when treating and diagnosing sleep disorders can improve the effectiveness of treatment plans. This interview took place during the World Sleep Congress 2022 in Rome, Italy.