Sleep Disturbances and Autism in Preschool Children: Insights from Taiwan

Research has shed new light on the connections between sensory sensitivity, emotional dysregulation, and sleep disturbances in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Taiwan. A study conducted by the National Cheng Kung University found that Taiwanese preschool children with ASD sleep significantly less than recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, with 98% of caregivers reporting sleep disturbances. The study highlights the importance of incorporating sensory-focused and emotional regulation strategies into sleep interventions for young autistic children.

Key Takeaways:

• Taiwanese preschool children with ASD sleep 493 minutes per night (8.2 hours), which is approximately 107 minutes less than the recommended guideline set by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
• 98% of caregivers reported sleep disturbances, 82% reported sensory sensitivity, 84% reported sensory avoidance, and 66% reported emotional dysregulation.
• Greater sensory processing difficulties were associated with more severe caregiver-reported sleep problems and higher emotional dysregulation.
• Mediation analyses revealed that emotional dysregulation significantly mediated the associations between sensory sensitivity/avoidance and sleep disturbances.
• The study emphasizes the need to integrate sensory-focused and emotional regulation strategies into sleep interventions for young autistic children, particularly in cultural contexts where co-sleeping is normative.

Statistics:

• 50 children (40 boys, 10 girls; mean age = 55 months) were assessed in the study.
• Children slept 493 minutes per night (8.2 hours), which is 107 minutes less than the recommended guideline.
• 98% of caregivers reported sleep disturbances.
• 82% of caregivers reported sensory sensitivity.
• 84% of caregivers reported sensory avoidance.
• 66% of caregivers reported emotional dysregulation.

Sources:

• NewsRx. New Autism Findings from National Cheng Kung University Reported (Sleep disturbances, sensory processing difficulties, and emotional dysregulation in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder). Mental Health Weekly Digest. November 3, 2025; p 287.
• Sleep disturbances, sensory processing difficulties, and emotional dysregulation in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder. Sleep Medicine, 2025;136:106872.
• National Cheng Kung University. (2025). Sleep disturbances, sensory processing difficulties, and emotional dysregulation in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder.