Feeding and sleep difficulties in toddlers with autism spectrum disorders

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) present with a variety of comorbid difficulties, some of which relate to seemingly simply activities of daily living. Feeding and sleep difficulties are purportedly common within the ASD population, although the association between these problems and ASD symptomatology has rarely been addressed. The current study examined the feeding and sleep difficulties of 1747 toddlers who had a diagnosis of Autistic Disorder (n = 506), PDD-NOS (n = 522), or atypical development (n = 719) using the Baby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtIsm Traits-Part 2, a screening tool designed to identify comorbid difficulties of toddlers with ASD and/or atypical development. Individuals with Autistic Disorder were found to exhibit significantly more feeding and sleep difficulties than those with PDD-NOS, who in turn presented with more difficulties of this type than those with atypical development. While developmental quotient (DQ) was also related to feeding and sleep difficulties, DQ could not account for the differences between these groups.

► The current study examines the feeding and sleep difficulties of 1747 toddlers with an ASD or atypical development.
► Toddlers with Autistic Disorder were found to exhibit significantly more feeding and sleep difficulties than those with PDD-NOS.
► Toddlers with PDD-NOS were found to exhibit significantly more feeding and sleep difficulties than those with atypical development.
► The developmental quotient could not account for the differences between these groups.