title: Impact of treating sleep apnea in a child with autism spectrum disorder.
abstract: Sleep disorders can affect daytime functioning in a variety of neurologic conditions, including autism spectrum disorder. This report describes improvements in sleep, social communication, attention, repetitive behaviors, and hypersensitivity after adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea in a 5-year-old female with an autism spectrum disorder. Improvements were documented via pre- and postsurgical measures of parent report, polysomnography, validated sleep and behavior scales, and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. Identification and treatment of sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea, may improve daytime behavior in children with autism spectrum disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. beth.malow@vanderbilt.edu
authors.forename: Beth A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Malow
authors.forename: Susan G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: McGrew
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.forename: Lynnette M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.forename: Wendy L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Stone
mesh_terms: D000233:Adenoidectomy; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome