Sleep and Sleep Hygiene of Adolescent Siblings

Our study is dedicated to exploring and enhancing the sleep health of adolescents who have a sibling with Autism. This often-overlooked demographic typically faces unique challenges, including disruptions in sleep patterns due to the familial and environmental stresses often associated with caring for a sibling with ASD. Despite the importance of sleep for cognitive and emotional development during adolescence, there is a significant gap in targeted research and resources for this group. Our study aims to address this gap by examining the sleep patterns, quality, and disturbances among these adolescents, compared to a control group without an ASD sibling. The Autism, Family, and Community lab at CSU San Marcos invites parent-adolescent pairs who have a child/sibling with Autism to complete a quick online survey about their families’ sleep.

Parent participants must meet the following criteria:

• Live with a child of theirs between 10 and 19 years old without an ASD diagnosis
• Live with a sibling of their child who has an ASD diagnosis
• Live in the United States

Adolescent participants must meet the following criteria:

• Be between 10 to 19 years old
• Live with a sibling with an ASD diagnosis
• Not have an ASD diagnosis
• Be able to read and respond to questionnaire items (~5th grade reading level)

Participants will be asked to meet with a researcher to confirm their identity and sign the applicable consent/assent forms. Parent and adolescents will then be asked to complete an online questionnaire regarding the adolescents’ sleep and sleep hygiene. The parent survey should take about 15 minutes, and the adolescents survey should take about 20 minutes.

As a thank you, parents and adolescents who complete their survey will be entered for a chance to win 1 of 5 $100 Amazon egift cards.

By examining the sleep health of adolescents with a sibling with Autism, our study aims to enhance their overall well-being and development. This research fills a critical gap in the research and holds potential to inform future interventions that support siblings and their families.