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

STUDY BASICS

Have you wondered how sensory sensitivities, sleep, and emotion are connected? This research study uses a two-part design to examine this. Part 1 includes a lab visit and two weeks of home-based sleep and emotion measurement. Part 2 includes another lab visit to learn a bedtime intervention and two more weeks of measurement. Lab visits are in Oakland, PA. 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 a caregiver willing to be part of bedtime for at least 2 weeks

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

• Wear a watch (caregiver and child) for 2 weeks and complete three daily diaries about sleep and emotion
• Complete questionnaires and interviews
• Attend 1-2 lab visits in Oakland, PA