Differences in Rest, Emotion, and Arousal Modulation in Youth (DREAMY-Autism) - Parent of a child 6-10

STUDY BASICS

Does your child struggle at night with falling asleep? You and your child may be eligible for a research study to explore the relationship between sleep, sensory processing, and emotion dysregulation for autistic children ages 6-10 who struggle at bedtime. Participation is 3 weeks for the first part of the study & about 2 additional weeks for the second part of the study. Compensation provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

This study is interested in exploring different aspects that impact sleep for autistic children. Research notes that autistic children often have difficulties with sleep, specifically settling down to fall asleep. This study has a hypothesis that the way we process sensory information (sensory processing abilities) impact our abilities to settle down and fall asleep. They also hypothesize that emotion dysregulation impacts bedtime and sleep. This study will help to understand the relationships at play at bedtime and drive the development of new bedtime interventions that may help children sleep better.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

Families with a child who:

• Has an autism diagnosis
• Is between 6 to 10 years of age
• Has trouble falling asleep at night
• Has a caregiver willing to be part of bedtime for at least 2 weeks

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

This research study has two parts.  Total participation is 3 weeks for the first part of the study and about 2 additional weeks for the second part of the study.

The first part includes

• a lab visit where we will test your child’s sensory responsivity,
• questionnaires for you and your child to complete, and
• two weeks of home-based data collection using a watch-like device and three daily surveys (1-2 mins long).

The second part of the study will only be offered to half of the participants.  This second part includes

• another lab visit where we will teach you a new bedtime intervention to help your child settle down and fall asleep,
• completing the bedtime intervention nightly for 2 weeks, while completing the home-based data collection protocol (watch and 3 daily surveys), 
• 2 more weeks of the home-based data collection protocol (watch and 3 daily surveys),
• a clinical interview,
• another round of questionnaires, and
• exit interview