Recommendations for Identifying Sleep Problems and Treatment Resources for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abel and colleagues wrote a how-to guide for BCBAs who see tired kids with autism.

They pulled together studies on bedtime battles, night wakings, and early rising.

The paper gives step-by-step ways to screen sleep and pick first-line fixes.

The team says start with behavior tools, not pills.

Bedtime fading, sleep hygiene, and happy bedtime routines top the list.

They hand you a simple sleep log and tell you what red flags to chase.

Magaña et al. (2013) already showed these same ABA tricks work in real homes.

Sirao et al. (2026) later ranked exercise as the strongest fix, with melatonin second.

The two papers do not clash—Li adds new data, Abel gives the road map.

McLay et al. (2021) then proved function-based parent training helps 41 clinic kids, backing Abel’s advice.

You now have a quick script for weary parents at intake.

Hand them the sleep log, teach bedtime fading, and track for two weeks.

If gains stall, loop in mild exercise before melatonin.