Epidemiology, subtypes and clinical manifestations

About 50–83% of children and adolescents aged 2–18 years with ASD are documented to have sleep disruption,^{Reference Ballester, Richdale, Baker and Peiró20} whereas 50–85% with ADHD have been diagnosed with comorbid sleep disruption,^{Reference Lugo, Fadeuilhe, Gisbert, Setien, Delgado and Corrales3,Reference Ramtekkar4} particularly those with sensory difficulties.^{Reference Mimouni-Bloch, Offek, Engel-Yeger, Rosenblum, Posener and Silman28} Pre-2013, pathophysiology, other sleep-related factors and interventions were studied independently, with the objective and subjective methods used sometimes overlapping. SOI has been the most common sleep disruption found in ASD and ADHD studies employing subjective measures. A large body of research documents the frequent occurrence of sleep disruption in ASD^{Reference Schroder, Banaschewski, Fuentes, Hill, Hvolby and Posserud21,Reference Mimouni-Bloch, Offek, Engel-Yeger, Rosenblum, Posener and Silman28} and ASD/ADHD.^{Reference Lugo, Fadeuilhe, Gisbert, Setien, Delgado and Corrales3,Reference Ramtekkar4} Meta-analysis and other reviews indicate similar sleep-impaired profiles for both disorders compared with healthy controls, with higher sleep onset latency (SOL), greater numbers of awakenings during sleep, poorer sleep efficiency and lower self-perceived sleep quality.^{Reference Lugo, Fadeuilhe, Gisbert, Setien, Delgado and Corrales3,Reference Ramtekkar4,Reference Cortese, Faraone, Konofal and Lecendreux29}

Sleep disruptions associated with or caused by sensory modulating difficulties or atypical sensory–perceptual disturbances (ASPs) noted in ASD^{Reference Gupta, Gupta, Fradkin and Petti22} are also present in children and adolescents with ADHD. In a study of ASP profiles of children aged 8–11 years, comprising 25 children with ADHD, 38 typically developing children (TDC) as controls and 13 children with ADHD and typical sensory profiles, sleep disruption was demonstrated in 86.4% of children with ADHD/ASPs, 30.8% of children with ADHD and typical sensory profiles, and 16.7% of controls. Thus, children with ADHD and typical sensory profiles were indistinguishable from controls, but those with ADHD/ASP had a significantly increased odds ratio for sleep difficulties compared with controls (odds ratio = 32.4; 95% CI 4.0–260.1, P = 0.001).^{Reference Mimouni-Bloch, Offek, Engel-Yeger, Rosenblum, Posener and Silman28}

Sleep disorders occurring with high frequency in both ASD and ADHD include bedtime resistance, difficulty falling and staying asleep, irregular sleep–wake cycles, restless sleep and parasomnias.^{Reference Ramtekkar4} Discussions concerning ASD/sleep disruption and consequent effects have been more fully explored previously.^{Reference Gupta, Gupta, Fradkin and Petti22} For youth with ADHD, SOL is the most prevalent sleep disruption, as determined by objectively measured polysomnography (PSG). Inconsistency of PSG across various sleep parameters in ADHD is explained by changes in rapid eye movement (REM) across developmental stages owing to maturation and night-to-night variability.^{Reference Ramtekkar4} A high apnoea/hypopnea index, indicative of sleep apnoea,^{Reference Cortese, Faraone, Konofal and Lecendreux29} and nocturnal motor activity, i.e. periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS), are the most consistent associations found in children with ADHD. Total sleep time (TST) as measured by PSG and actigraphy is notable for significant discrepancies in comparison with that of TDC, possibly owing to intermittent awakenings.^{Reference Ramtekkar4}

Two of five actigraphy parameters (SOL and sleep efficiency) and seven of nine subjective symptoms (SOL, higher number of night awakenings, daytime sleepiness, psychosomatic symptoms during sleep onset, sleep quality, general sleep problems and sleep efficiency) were found to be significantly increased in a systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 studies comparing adults with and without ADHD. No significant differences were found in restorative sleep value, sleep duration or PSG parameters between the two groups.^{Reference Díaz-Román, Mitchell and Cortese30} These results indicate substantial continuity of sleep disruption throughout the lives of ADHD individuals.

Greater sleep periodic limb movements are specific to ADHD in adults, whereas a higher proportion of earliest, brief (N1) sleep was found in participants with ASD.^{Reference Lugo, Fadeuilhe, Gisbert, Setien, Delgado and Corrales3} Adults with ADHD report more psychosomatic symptoms during sleep onset, daytime sleepiness, insomnia and a lower perception of being rested at wake-up.^{Reference Lugo, Fadeuilhe, Gisbert, Setien, Delgado and Corrales3} This is similar to the findings of meta-analytic studies of children diagnosed with ADHD with exclusion criteria of psychopharmacologic treatment and presence of anxiety and depression: significantly higher findings for bedtime resistance, night awakenings, difficulties with morning awakenings, more sleep onset difficulties, daytime sleepiness and sleep-disordered breathing compared with TDC controls.^{Reference Cortese, Faraone, Konofal and Lecendreux29}

Intrinsic effects of ADHD and ASD on sleep

Sleep disruption appears to have a greater impact on emotional, behavioural and cognitive difficulties in ASD/ADHD than in either disorder alone. Studies using objective sleep measures, i.e. PSG, in children with diagnosed ASD/ADHD are scarce. However, studies using subjective parental reports indicate sleep problems as more pronounced in comorbid ADHD and ASD.^{Reference Matson, Rieske and Williams31,Reference Mazurek and Sohl32} It has been speculated that the bidirectional nature of the effects of ASD and ADHD on sleep disruption is an expression of the intrinsic deficits of these disorders. However, given the similarities, e.g. sleep problems, in each disorder and their increased severity in combined ADHD and ASD, a common underlying pathophysiology may be operating to interrupt the transition from the state of stimulus-seeking alertness leading to SOL and the passive sleep state.

The expanding literature associating sleep problems in children with ASD and symptoms of ADHD post-DSM-5 has suggested bidirectional relationships between inattentiveness and poor sleep quality in ASD.^{Reference Gupta, Gupta, Fradkin and Petti22,Reference Gunes, Ekinci, Feyzioglu, Ekinci and Kalinli33} Inattention symptoms may predict an irregular sleep–wake cycle; conversely, sleep disruption may exacerbate daytime inattentiveness.^{Reference Gupta, Gupta, Fradkin and Petti22,Reference Gunes, Ekinci, Feyzioglu, Ekinci and Kalinli33} Significantly higher inattention parent ratings predicted higher scores on the Children's Sleep Habit Questionnaire (CSHQ), indicating moderate-to-severe sleep problems, compared with a control group, whereas elevated hyperactivity ratings did not.^{Reference Gunes, Ekinci, Feyzioglu, Ekinci and Kalinli33} Moreover, the extent of the influence of ASD on sleep disruption in ASD/ADHD has been questioned since a large Australian study^{Reference Thomas, Lycett, Papadopoulos, Sciberras and Rinehart34} failed to find youth with ADHD/ASD to have elevated sleep disruption relative to the ADHD group. These findings indicate that comorbid ASD in children with ADHD may not exacerbate behavioural sleep based on the molecular endophenotype data considered below.^{Reference Briuglia, Calabrò, Capra, Briguori, La Rosa and Crisafulli35} However, more studies are needed to support these counterintuitive findings.

Lifespan psychopathology and sleep problems continue to be strongly related to both ASD and ADHD. Mixed results characterise the interplay between sleep alterations and psychiatric comorbidities in patients with ADHD and ASD.^{Reference Gupta, Gupta, Fradkin and Petti22,Reference Whelan, Mannion, Madden, Berger, Costello and Ghadiri36} Across all ages, hyperactivity especially relates to reduced TST, increased wake-after-sleep onset and parasomnias. Combined hyperactivity and inattention symptoms are correlated with generally poor sleep, including daytime sleepiness, wake-after-sleep onset and reduced TST. Significant sleep difficulties affect attention and daytime functioning and may result in behavioural changes consistent with ADHD diagnosis.^{Reference Schreck and Richdale8}

Other associated conditions

Sleep-related movement disorders, RLS and PLMD are often associated with daytime sleepiness, poor sleep efficiency and sleep maintenance insomnia; they are less common in the general population than in those with ASD and/or ADHD. Several explanations have been offered for sleep disruption in comorbid ASD/ADHD. One is related to low serum ferritin contributing to RLS and/or PLMD as an indirect result of nutritional deficiencies, secondary to the adverse effect of appetite suppression of stimulant medications. As youths with ASD and ADHD often have communication deficits, clinically diagnosing PLMD in these children based on self-reported symptoms is challenging.^{Reference Ramtekkar4,Reference Shanahan, Isaac and Blackwell37}

Sleep-related breathing disorders include sleep-disordered breathing and OSA. Studies have documented their presence to significantly worsen ADHD and ASD symptoms. Sleep disruptions may exacerbate daytime inattentiveness, or, conversely, inattention symptoms may predict an irregular sleep–wake cycle. Risk factors include obesity, low muscle tone and motor delays, which are all common in both ADHD and ASD but are more prevalent in combined ADHD/ASD. Obesity could be secondary to medications, e.g. atypical antipsychotics or mood stabilisers for the treatment of aggression and irritability in youth with ASD and ADHD, and to abnormal or restrictive eating habits.^{Reference Ramtekkar4}

Parasomnias reported in both ASD and ADHD are related to changes in non-REM (NREM) sleep, increased fragmentation of sleep and scarcity of REM sleep. They include ‘confusional arousals’, sleepwalking as a form of increased motor activity, night terrors, wake screaming and enuresis. Rare cases of REM behaviour disorders attributed to medications have been reported in both disorders. The cyclic alternating pattern, a recurring endogenous rhythm in NREM sleep and often used as a measure of NREM stability, is significantly lower in both disorders. The risk of parasomnias is associated with anxiety and other comorbidities, and with medications used in their treatment.^{Reference Ramtekkar4}

ADHD individuals are more susceptible to sleep disruption caused by stress, as evidenced by inter-pandemic data comparing youth with ADHD or ASD with TDC. Those with ADHD demonstrated greater instability of sleep schedule and later bedtimes that may represent distinctive markers of the ADHD condition.^{Reference Bruni, Breda, Ferri and Melegari38}

Although narcolepsy is not a formal sleep disruption diagnosis, it is most often found to be comorbid with sleep disruption that sometimes masks its diagnosis. This is particularly true for ADHD, representing a specific phenotype,^{Reference Miano, Amato, Foderaro, Pezzoli, Ramelli and Toffolet39} with over 30% of individuals with narcolepsy so diagnosed;^{Reference Shanahan, Isaac and Blackwell37} it is less so for ASD, and by extension for youth and adults with ASD/ADHD/sleep disruption. Delayed diagnosis may be attributed to markedly different broad, varying symptom presentation between adults and children, and to masking by other related sleep disruptions with overlapping symptoms and treatment.^{Reference Posar, Visconti, Blunda, Pizza and Plazzi40,Reference Quaedackers, Pillen and Overeem41}

Gastrointestinal disorders represent another set of comorbidities that may affect sleep in both disorders. According to parent reports, 85% of 118 youth with ASD/ADHD in a recent study experienced at least one gastrointestinal symptom within the previous 3 months, without a significant difference in total gastrointestinal symptoms between those with ASD only and those with ASD with ADHD symptoms. In the same study, 91.5% of youth presenting with CSHQ reported sleep disruption; daytime sleepiness was the most frequently reported sleep problem across age groups. Those with only ASD had fewer sleep problems than those with ASD/ADHD.^{Reference Leader, Dooley, Whelan, Gilroy, Chen and Farren Barton17}

The impact on sleep of the presence of intellectual disability in ASD and ADHD is uncertain; some studies suggest that children with ASD with more severe levels of intellectual disabilities are more likely to have increased sleep disruption than healthy individuals, but other studies found no effect.^{Reference Gunes, Ekinci, Feyzioglu, Ekinci and Kalinli33,Reference Mayes and Calhoun42,Reference Waddington, McLay, Woods and Whitehouse43}

Directly and indirectly, sleep disruptions and other symptoms of ASD/ADHD are associated with poorer family function and subsequent increased parental stress and poorer mental health; moreover, there are bidirectional effects of parental stress and sleep problems in children, resulting in a less than positive environment for emotional and other development.^{Reference Martin, Papadopoulos, Chellew, Rinehart and Sciberras44} Barriers to effectively treating insomnia in paediatric ASD/ADHD and other neurodevelopmental disorders include a dysfunctional home environment combined with associated exhaustion and limited capacity to implement treatment.^{Reference Tan-MacNeill, Smith, Jemcov, Keeler, Chorney and Johnson45} Maternal autism traits, lower paternal education and family income may affect sleep disruption in neurodevelopmental disorders.^{Reference Waddington, McLay, Woods and Whitehouse43}

Neurobiological basis

Co-occurring and interacting variables

Understanding the cause of these sleep disruptions to improve treatment outcomes remains a clinical priority.^{Reference Ballester, Richdale, Baker and Peiró20} Lifespan psychopathology and sleep problems are strongly related to ASD and ADHD. Mixed results characterise the interplay between sleep alterations and psychiatric comorbidities in patients with ADHD, ASD and other psychiatric disorders, particularly as related to circadian rhythm and related aberrations.^{Reference Arns, Kooij and Coogan46} Significant sleep problems interrelated with both behaviour and psychopathology have been demonstrated with genetic underpinnings.^{Reference Charrier, Olliac, Roubertoux and Tordjman47} Unlike the ASD/sleep disruption literature, in which significant insight is developing through extensive research,^{Reference Gupta, Gupta, Fradkin and Petti22} a relative paucity of research exists for ASD/ADHD/sleep disruption.

Kohyama^{Reference Kohyama48} has proposed three neuronal mechanisms involved in insomnia in ASD and ADHD requiring further attention: increased orexinergic system activity; reduced melatonergic system and 5-hydroxytryptamine activity, including dysregulation of the serotonergic signalling system; and reduced REM sleep. The 5-hydroxytryptamine system may influence the melatonergic system, which contributes to the regulation of the sleep–wake cycle and may be influenced by the decreased quality of awake time worsened by sleep loss. Prolonged wakefulness has been shown to reduce medial prefrontal cortex activity and disinhibit functional amygdala activity in ASD. In normal control subjects, total sleep deprivation increased ventricular striatum activity elicited by rewarding stimuli. In ADHD patients, insomnia may be initiated by ventricular striatum activation, which produces amygdala deactivation, causing further stimulation of the orexinergic system, which produces prolonged wakefulness.^{Reference Kohyama48} The complex association suggests a multi-factorial etiology.^{Reference Mazzone, Postorino, Siracusano, Riccioni and Curatolo49} Figures 1(a) and 1(b) depict these interactions.

Fig. 1

(a) Interactions between effects on sleep of decreases in melatonin caused by the melatonergic system and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) activity in patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). (b) Interactions between effects on sleep of increased orexin in the melatonergic system and 5-HT activity in patients with ADHD and ASD. mPFC, medial prefrontal cortex; REM, rapid eye movement.

Patients with ASD and ADHD share common genetic variances through childhood and adolescence. De novo mutations, copy number variations (CNVs) and common genetic variations from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have all been implicated in the genetic aetiology of ASD. Similar rare variants, CNVs and GWAS single nucleotide polymorphisms have been implicated through anomalies of a gene set labelled CLOCK (circadian locomotor output cycles kaput) genes; these anomalies are specifically linked to sleep disorders in ASD/ADHD.^{Reference Knott, Johnson, Tiego, Mellahn, Finlay and Kallady50} Charrier and associates consider these linkages and the numerous genes involved; however, these are too detailed to discuss in this review.^{Reference Charrier, Olliac, Roubertoux and Tordjman47}

Circadian rhythm plays a major part in sleep disruption. It is generated by a master central clock in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), with regulation processed through direct or indirect signals between the SCN and various body structures by peripheral clocks that optimise each organ's function to adapt to environmental changes. Cyclic gene expression and rhythmic physiological processes, controlled by central and peripheral clocks, work independently but require continuous resynchronisation through the brain's master clock. Melatonin, which is inhibited by light exposure and controlled by the SCN master clock, is involved in these synchronisations of peripheral oscillations, synthesis, and release of melatonin by the pineal gland. ASD and ADHD are linked to single nucleotide polymorphisms in core circadian clock genes.^{Reference Charrier, Olliac, Roubertoux and Tordjman47}

The molecular mechanisms underlying the circadian rhythms include enhancer elements, repressor elements and control loops involving phosphorylation, dephosphorylation, methylation, acetylation reactions and specific protein dimerisation. The molecular circadian system is present in the hypothalamic central clock and the SCN, and in secondary clocks within the brain and peripheral organs. Transcriptional regulation of genes at the DNA level and post-transcriptional regulation, downstream of transcription, are mechanisms implicated in the circadian clock's molecular autoregulatory feedback loop.^{Reference Charrier, Olliac, Roubertoux and Tordjman47}

Genetics, genomics, melatonin and the endocannabinoid system (ECS)

Recent genetics and genomics research documents greater attention to CNVs in ADHD, ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders.^{Reference Krgović and Gregorič Kumperščak51,Reference Young, Hollingdale, Absoud, Bolton, Branney and Colley52} Decreases and increases in gene expression caused by both loss and gain of genetic material represented by CNVs are associated with ASD/ADHD/sleep disruption. ASD's heterogeneous genetic background can be explained by multiple genetic abnormalities, which are different in each individual but converge towards the same biological network. Different pathways for ASD can be roughly grouped into pathways related to CNV alterations associated with cell proliferation, signal transduction, apoptotic signals and brain development shared by different neurodevelopmental disorders comorbid with ASD.^{Reference Briuglia, Calabrò, Capra, Briguori, La Rosa and Crisafulli35}

ADHD and other comorbid behavioural symptoms, e.g., sleep disruption, common in ASD, can originate from alteration patterns including abnormalities in the regulation of neural precursor cell proliferation, regulation of smoothened signalling pathways, spinal cord development, stem cell proliferation, neuron fate specification, circadian rhythm regulation, the diencephalon and endocrine system development. These pathways have been grouped into nine CNV clusters.^{Reference Briuglia, Calabrò, Capra, Briguori, La Rosa and Crisafulli35} Table 1 details the relevance of these clusters to ASD/ADHD/sleep disruption and possibly explains the undue influence of ADHD on their impact on sleep behaviours and sleep disruption symptoms that are potentially related to circadian rhythm.^{Reference Bruni, Breda, Ferri and Melegari38}

Table 1

Relevance of copy number variation (CNV) alterations to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and sleep disruption (SD) in patients with ASD. Pathways of nine overlapping CNV clusters relevant to ASD/ADHD/SD are shown, emphasising large contributions that may explain the undue influence of the ADHD cluster on sleep behaviours and SD potentially related to circadian rhythm (Briuglia, 2021)

Youth with ASD and those with ADHD have disorganised behaviours, faulty transmission of entrainment cues and an inability to transition to the passive state of sleep leading to SOL from the state of stimulus-seeking alertness. Circadian rhythm sleep–wake disorders for insomnia have been documented in both ASD and ADHD. Dim light melatonin onset, a primary marker for determining whether a person is synchronised to a 24 h sleep–wake cycle or not, is present in both disorders through abnormal patterns of melatonin secretion, as are abnormalities in CLOCK genes responsible for circadian rhythm maintenance.^{Reference Ramtekkar4,Reference Charrier, Olliac, Roubertoux and Tordjman47,Reference Carmassi, Palagini, Caruso, Masci, Nobili and Vita53}

The impact of melatonin on regulation of the sleep–wake cycle is broad in youth with neurodevelopmental disorders, including ASD/ADHD/sleep disruption, and comprises altered circadian rhythms; altered and decreased melatonin production; and abnormal synthesis, concentrations, release patterns and metabolism of melatonin. Altered melatonin production is present in about two-thirds of ASD youth. Further influence results from disturbed signalling of intracellular melatonin receptor type 1A, inflammation of the central and peripheral immune systems, and immune signalling dysregulation.^{Reference Rolling, Rabot and Schroder54,Reference Wu, Huang, Zou, Wang, Naveed and Bao55} Melatonin pathway dysregulation is likely to be the mechanism driving melatonin variations.^{Reference Maruani, Dumas, Beggiato, Traut, Peyre and Cohen-Freoua56}

Based on modelling from diffusion magnetic resonance imaging, similar white matter tract deviations have been reported to be shared by ASD and ADHD patients, with inter-individual variability relative to the norm in a degree of deviation.^{Reference Tung, Lin, Chen, Shang, Yang and Hsu12} Likewise, in both disorders, common white matter abnormalities in the splenium of the corpus callosum have been identified, with a wider abnormal pattern noted in ASD.^{Reference Zhao, Yang, Gong, Cao and Liu13} However, comorbid ASD/ADHD/sleep disruption diagnoses were not considered.

The neuromodulator role of ECS components, which is essential to the regulation of many brain functions, has drawn extensive interest as a potential target for treating ASD, ADHD and other psychiatric disorders. Animal models and human clinical data provide a cornucopia of data relevant to this area of molecular and genetic importance concerning ASD and ADHD. Although extended attention to this subject is impractical here, details are available in the citations that follow. Potentially useful biomarkers relating to alterations in ECS components include expression of cannabinoid receptor genes (CNR1, CNR2), which encode the cannabinoid receptors (CB1R and CB2R).^{Reference de Camargo, de Novais, da Silva, Meneguzzo, Daros and da Silva57–Reference Pietropaolo, Bellocchio, Bouzón-Arnáiz and Yee60} CNS alterations related to ECS in the cerebellum, basal ganglia and hippocampus affect both ASD and ADHD.^{Reference de Camargo, de Novais, da Silva, Meneguzzo, Daros and da Silva57,Reference Stoodley61,Reference Plessen, Bansal, Zhu, Whiteman, Amat and Quackenbush62}

Interventions

Treatment considerations in approaching and formulating interventions are similar for individual ASD, ADHD and sleep disruption. They should be based on comprehensive multi-modal assessment in individuals manifesting ASD or ADHD symptoms comprising subjective and objective measures.^{Reference Ramtekkar4,Reference Gupta, Gupta, Fradkin and Petti22,Reference Shanahan, Isaac and Blackwell37,Reference Veeravigrom and Chonchaiya63–Reference Johnson, Smith, DeMand, Lecavalier, Evans and Gurka68} The overall treatment goal is to consider the underlying core deficits contributed by each component and not rely on approaches typical for the comorbid disorder. Rametkkar^{Reference Ramtekkar4} reasonably asserts that failure to do this could result in ineffective treatment or possibly worsen sleep issues. Approaches include sensory, behavioural, non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions; ongoing collaboration with multiple agencies, including public and private educational services; and parent education and support. The lack of controlled studies for ASD/sleep disruption and ADHD/sleep disruption remains problematic.^{Reference Williams Buckley, Hirtz, Oskoui, Armstrong, Batra and Bridgemohan66} Parent education, support and training must be considered key components.^{Reference Shanahan, Isaac and Blackwell37,Reference Young, Hollingdale, Absoud, Bolton, Branney and Colley52,Reference Williams Buckley, Hirtz, Oskoui, Armstrong, Batra and Bridgemohan66,Reference Cuomo, Vaz, Lee, Thompson, Rogerson and Falkmer69} Interventions delivered virtually have promise.^{Reference Shanahan, Isaac and Blackwell37,Reference Brian, Solish, Dowds, Roth, Bernardi and Perry70} Table 2 summarises considerations that should guide interventions.

Table 2

Summary of recent evidence on autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and sleep disruption (SD) with clinical implications

AHI, apnoea/hypopnea index; ASP, atypical sensory–perceptual disturbance; OSA, obstructive sleep apnoea; PLMS, periodic limb movements in sleep; PSG, polysomnography; REM, rapid eye movement; SOI, sleep onset insomnia; SOL, sleep onset latency; TDC, typically developing children.

Given the delayed acceptance of comorbid ASD/ADHD diagnoses until 2013, significant gaps in the emerging evidence have hindered meeting the clinical needs of these highly complex patient populations. Although it has recently been argued that the existing literature for ASD/ADHD/sleep disruption interventions for sleep difficulties, including behavioural therapies, sleep hygiene and melatonin use, is of low quality,^{Reference Shanahan, Isaac and Blackwell37} this update indicates progress in the past few years that softens this conclusion.

Interventions begin best by first recognising the significant prevalence of sleep disorders and other comorbidities^{Reference Shanahan, Isaac and Blackwell37} in ASD and ADHD in order to diminish the risk of misattributing symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity to the primary diagnoses. Approaches to distinguish between sleep disruptions in clinical practice, and treatment rationales guiding differing dosages and times of administration, follow.^{Reference Shanahan, Isaac and Blackwell37,Reference Rolling, Rabot and Schroder54} This allows for accurate case formulation of predisposing, precipitating, perpetuating, and positive or preventive factors, and appropriate psychosocial treatment with or without pharmacological interventions,^{Reference Bruni, Angriman, Calisti, Comandini, Esposito and Cortese67} including collaboration with sleep specialists when needed.^{Reference Wajszilber, Santiseban and Gruber23} A meta-synthesis of multiple therapeutic interventions concluded that compared with other interventions for ameliorating multiple ASD/sleep disruption domains of sleep problems, melatonin, behavioural interventions and education/parent education appear to be the most effective. However, across all ASD sleep problems, no single intervention was found to be effective.^{Reference Cuomo, Vaz, Lee, Thompson, Rogerson and Falkmer69} Recent recommendations offer considerable guidance for identification, assessment, interventions and service needs for children and adults with comorbid ASD/ADHD/sleep disruption and can be summarised as follows.

The high ASD/ADHD co-occurrence rate means both conditions should be considered if one is present; this is particularly important for ASD, as it occurs earlier and clinical improvement over time is less. In adolescents and emerging adults, where symptoms may not have warranted earlier referral, the comprehensive assessment of the person's functioning should span many years. This is particularly relevant for females with ASD, who may be under-identified owing to presenting with inattentive symptoms and minimised disruptive behaviour, higher prevalence of intellectual disability and screening by scales based predominantly on male samples.^{Reference Young, Hollingdale, Absoud, Bolton, Branney and Colley52}

Several publications offer detailed tables, boxes and figures, providing clinicians with specifics and insights too numerous to present here. They consider common, highly relevant clinical issues previously described.^{Reference Gupta, Gupta, Fradkin and Petti22,Reference Bruni, Angriman, Calisti, Comandini, Esposito and Cortese67} These comprise a range of rating scales and questionnaires, including those free of charge asterisked; guidance for clinical assessment and its reporting, including critical, often overlooked historical and contextual items (e.g. diet, environment); types of sleep disruption (e.g. somnambulism or night terrors, sleep apnoea, RLS, rhythmic movement disorder), with descriptions, and symptoms and signs indicating referral need; treatment planning; social transitions; related mediating and moderating factors affecting outcome; general service needs; pharmacological and non-pharmacological clinical interventions; and practice recommendations for education and/or school interventions.^{Reference Ramtekkar4,Reference Young, Hollingdale, Absoud, Bolton, Branney and Colley52,Reference Williams Buckley, Hirtz, Oskoui, Armstrong, Batra and Bridgemohan66,Reference Johnson, Smith, DeMand, Lecavalier, Evans and Gurka68} Figure 2 provides a flow chart showing an overview of the process from screening for sleep disruption to interventions.^{Reference Shanahan, Isaac and Blackwell37}

Fig. 2

Flowchart describing approach to the complex developmental phenotypes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and sleep disruption (SD). ^aSpecific scales are available for SD (Children's Sleep Habit Questionnaire (CSHQ; CSHQ-autism); Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)), sleep hygiene (SH; Adolescent Sleep Hygiene Scale) and excessive daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale). ^bTwo weeks movement-based data could add to assessment but does not substitute for clinical evaluation. ^cGold standard to detect such complex presentations as narcolepsy, periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD)/ restless leg syndrome (RLS), obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and complicated parasomnias, mostly recommended by sleep specialists. ^dLow-dose melatonin 0.5–1.0 mg as a chronobiotic 3–5 h before bed. Hypnotic dose 3–6 mg 30–60 min before bed. Melatonin slow/prolonged release (SPR): effective for refractory insomnia. ^eSupplement iron for ferritin <50 ng/mL. ASP, atypical sensory–perceptual disturbance; CBT, cognitive–behavioural therapy; IR, immediate release; SOL, sleep onset latency; SSADHD, Sleeping Sound with ADHD. Modelled on a figure from Shanahan et al. (2021) under terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.

Clinicians need to be prepared to use many of the advances that have occurred in the past few years, i.e. advances in basic science, behavioural and pharmacological interventions, and assessment instruments not considered in prior reviews and recommendations, such as the CSHQ, a mainstay of clinical practice and research. A modification, the CSHQ-autism is a shorter version, consisting of 23 items with four factors (down from 45 or 33 item versions with eight factors), with cut-off scores from ages 2 to 17 years and better performance in identifying sleep disruption in individuals with ASD.^{Reference Shui, Richdale and Katz71} It has been successfully employed in studies of objective measures and has acceptable psychometric properties with cut-off scores for the paediatric population.^{Reference Alder, Johnson, Zauszniewski, Malow, Burant and Scahill72}

Pharmacological interventions

Pharmacological interventions have been employed in each individual ASD/ADHD/sleep disruption comorbidity but are generally not considered as first-line treatments for sleep disruptions. No medication has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of paediatric insomnia. Psychopharmacology has a critical role as advances are made in understanding the multifaceted complexity of ASD/ADHD/sleep disruption but must be guided by the differential diagnosis (i.e. coexisting medical and/or mental illnesses) and formulation based on predisposing, precipitating and perpetuating factors (e.g. iatrogenic sleep disruption, poor sleep hygiene, pharmacogenetics).^{Reference Young, Hollingdale, Absoud, Bolton, Branney and Colley52,Reference Arranz, Salazar, Bote, Artigas-Baleri, Serra-LLovich and Triviño79} Insomnia-risk psychotropic drugs, i.e. those unmasking subclinical REM sleep dysfunction behaviour disorder and those with somnolence as an adverse effect must be considered, as should dosing strategies.^{Reference Shanahan, Isaac and Blackwell37}

About a third of ASD/ADHD/sleep disruption patients receive pharmacological treatment for comorbid symptoms. In one study, between 30 and 50% of ASD patients treated with medication experienced long-lasting, severe side-effects and/or did not respond adequately; however, melatonin for sleep disruption was not considered in this study or its literature review.^{Reference Arranz, Salazar, Bote, Artigas-Baleri, Serra-LLovich and Triviño79} Melatonin is recommended in the most recent practice guidelines,^{Reference Rolling, Rabot and Schroder54} specifically if the response to behavioural interventions is inadequate.^{Reference Pavkovic and Kothare64} Moreover, it has been approved by a credible medication-regulating agency outside the USA.^{Reference Schroder, Banaschewski, Fuentes, Hill, Hvolby and Posserud21}

Melatonin is clearly the choice for circadian rhythm sleep–wake disorders and insomnia, as it improves sleep latency, sleep efficiency and total sleep duration. Early studies of immediate-release melatonin for a range of paediatric neurological and developmental disorders with severe sleep disruptions demonstrated efficacy and safety. A 12-week randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial documented increased TST and reduced SOL using sleep diaries and actigraphy, with associated improvements in child behaviour and family functioning outcomes, and earlier wake times compared with placebo. No adverse effects or differences between the groups were noted.^{Reference Rolling, Rabot and Schroder54}

A large multicentre collaborative phase III study with adequate sleep hygiene interventions demonstrated highly significant improvement in SOL (as documented using an electronic sleep diary), irritability, inappropriate speech, hyperactivity and stereotypical behaviour. No treatment-emergent adverse effects occurred.^{Reference Yuge, Nagamitsu, Ishikawa, Hamada, Takahashi and Sugioka80}

The finding that melatonin significantly shortens SOL has been duplicated in a large, randomised placebo-controlled trial. Fixed doses of immediate-release melatonin (1 mg and 4 mg) were compared with a placebo in children with ASD (about 40% with ADHD) under adequate sleep hygiene interventions following 14 days on placebo.^{Reference Hayashi, Mishima, Fukumizu, Takahashi, Ishikawa and Hamada81} Limitations of immediate-release melatonin have been mitigated by use of a paediatric-appropriately dosed prolonged-release melatonin formulation. In paediatric ASD/sleep disruption populations, the significant improvement in total sleep duration and continuity achieved with melatonin compared with placebo was unaffected by stimulant use or comorbid ADHD.^{Reference Gupta, Gupta, Fradkin and Petti22,Reference Shanahan, Isaac and Blackwell37,Reference Young, Hollingdale, Absoud, Bolton, Branney and Colley52} Moreover, its availability as a 3-mm-diameter prolonged-release melatonin minitablet meant it had remarkably high acceptability by a population who usually experience significant difficulties in swallowing.^{Reference Gringras, Nir, Breddy, Frydman-Marom and Findling82}

Melatonin has demonstrated good tolerability and superior efficacy in ASD/sleep disruption, and a newer extended-release formulation is deemed particularly effective, safe and acceptable. Long-term, nightly (up to 104 weeks) use of 2 mg, 5 mg or 10 mg extended-release melatonin in 80 youth aged 2–17.5 years (96% with ASD, completers of a double-blind trial) was also assessed with respect to withdrawal effects during a 2 week placebo period. No detrimental effects on pubertal development or growth, safety issues or withdrawal effects were found during melatonin use or its discontinuation.^{Reference Gupta, Gupta, Fradkin and Petti22,Reference Malow, McGrew, Harvey, Henderson and Stone83}

Likewise, melatonin has had considerable research support for use in ADHD and ASD/ADHD, although caution concerning adverse effects is recommended.^{Reference Ramtekkar4} Melatonin influences both chronobiotic (action levels within circadian pacemaker, e.g. retina, hypothalamic tracts, SCN, feedback and output systems) and hypnotic properties affecting circadian rhythm sleep disorders. A recent study involving sleep disruption precipitated by methylphenidate (MPH), has demonstrated melatonin to be effective and safe regardless of comorbidities, age or gender.^{Reference Masi, Fantozzi, Villafranca, Tacchi, Ricci and Ruglioni84} Similar findings were reported in a recent review of ASD/ADHD/sleep disruption.^{Reference Rzepka-Migut and Paprocka85}

Concerns relate to melatonin product variability in the USA, where it is considered a dietary supplement and not an FDA-regulated drug, as well as accidental ingestion. Ultraperformance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection for quantification of melatonin and serotonin conducted on 31 melatonin supplement products showed that from −83% to +478% of labelled melatonin content was not correlated with product type or manufacturer. Lot-to-lot, products varied by as much as 465%. More than 70% of supplements failed to meet labelled content within a 10% margin, and 26% were found to contain serotonin at levels of 1 to 75 μg.^{Reference Erland and Saxena86} Thus, when the efficacy of melatonin is not achieved or wanes, switching brands or brand lots is recommended. Pharmaceutical-grade melatonin is recommended when available.^{Reference Rana, Kothare and DeBassio65,Reference Johnson, Smith, DeMand, Lecavalier, Evans and Gurka68}

Regrettably, melatonin was the most frequently ingested substance in 2020 by youth aged ≤19 years reported to national poison control centres. It accounted for 4.9% of ingestions during 2021, up substantially since 2012; the majority of cases were unintentional, and most were asymptomatic, but 1.6% had serious outcomes including death in two between 2012 and 2021.^{Reference Lelak87}

Immediate-release melatonin is recommended for children with difficulty in initiating sleep onset, usually at a dose of 1–3 mg, administered 30 min (range in studies from 20 to 60 min) before bedtime if it is to act as a sleep inducer. The same dose is recommended for sustained-release melatonin for children with difficulty maintaining their sleep. Melatonin is given 3–4 h before sleep if it is used as a chronobiotic.^{Reference Rzepka-Migut and Paprocka85} Dosages remain uncertain.^{Reference Esposito, Laino, D'Alonzo, Mencarelli, Di Genova and Fattorusso88} Consensus-determined doses have been 1 to 2 mg for ages 3–5 years, 2 to 3 mg for 6–12 years and up to 5 mg for adolescents and adults.^{Reference Summer89}

Stimulants remain the first-line medication for the treatment of ADHD symptoms. Case formulation should determine positive and negative benefits in balancing their documented insomnia induction with ADHD symptom control, thus facilitating improved functioning to promote sleep; sleep treatment with stimulants, guanfacine and atomoxetine may improve sleep disruption.^{Reference Shanahan, Isaac and Blackwell37} Recently, positive or neutral sleep disruption outcomes have included a randomised fixed-dose, double-blind, 4-week placebo-controlled trial of a multilayer, extended-release MPH formulation with an open-label 6-month follow-up. A marginally higher proportion of medicated patients compared with the placebo group went from poor to good sleeper status on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The study results showed the expected positive response with respect to ADHD symptoms, and the treatment was not a predictor of poor sleep at double-blind study termination according to logistic regression analysis.^{Reference Weiss, Cutler, Kollins and Donnelly90,Reference Weiss, Surman, Khullar, Owens, He and Cataldo91} Similar responses have been found in adults with ADHD^{Reference Weiss, Surman, Khullar, He, Cataldo and Donnelly92} and more recently in both children and adults.^{Reference Cataldo, Donnelly, Cutler, Childress, Mikl and Bhaskar93}

More recent studies have reported a linear dose–response relationship with MPH for youths with higher-functioning ASD; however, experts suggest using lower doses of MPH for youths with lower-functioning ASD to avoid undesired side-effects including behavioural activation.^{Reference Joshi, Wilens, Firmin, Hoskova and Biederman94} The knowledge of curve linear dose–response with MPH in children with lower-functioning children is crucial to avoid iatrogenic insomnia with higher doses; therefore, slow gradual titration of MPH remains key in these subgroups.^{Reference Joshi, Wilens, Firmin, Hoskova and Biederman94}

When sleep disruption results from stimulant treatment that cannot be discontinued or the dosage flexibly lowered, or if stimulant rebound is determined after considering other sleep disruption causes, then adding small doses of immediate-release stimulant is a realistic option. With atomoxetine-related sleep disruption, the option is adding melatonin.^{Reference Cortese95} Evening doses of atomoxetine and extended-release guanfacine represent other options to control daytime ADHD symptoms, with evening somnolence a common side-effect. Evening rather than morning dosing with atomoxetine has been found to reduce daytime somnolence.^{Reference Shanahan, Isaac and Blackwell37}

Given the prevalence of low ferritin levels in individuals with ASD/ADHD/sleep disruption and other neurodevelopmental disorders,^{Reference Tseng, Cheng, Yen, Chen, Stubbs and Whiteley96} ferritin should be assessed and low levels treated accordingly, especially when restless sleep or hemochromatosis is reported.^{Reference Gupta, Gupta, Fradkin and Petti22,Reference Williams Buckley, Hirtz, Oskoui, Armstrong, Batra and Bridgemohan66,Reference McWilliams, Singh, Leung, Stockler and Ipsiroglu97–Reference Blackmer and Feinstein99} If ferritin is below 50 ng/mL, then iron supplementation is recommended. Gabapentin has also been recommended for children and adolescents,^{Reference DelRosso, Mogavero, Baroni, Bruni and Ferri100} but the evidence base is limited. However, the absence of clinical trials has not prevented gabapentin from becoming the treatment of choice for paediatric RLS as it is for adult RLS.^{Reference Rana, Kothare and DeBassio65}

Engaging the ECS in regulating ASD metabolic and cellular pathways with cannabidiol (CBD) is another type of intervention that has been briefly reviewed.^{Reference Gupta, Gupta, Fradkin and Petti22} A recent open-label CBD-rich cannabis study demonstrated significant improvements in social symptoms and repetitive and ritualistic behaviour of youth with ASD. Sleep disruption was not considered, but findings of decreases in symptoms related to worsening sleep disruption suggest the value of additional double-blind placebo-controlled studies using standardised assessments.^{Reference Hacohen, Stolar, Berkovitch, Elkana, Kohn and Hazan101} The overall quality of evidence for CBD in the treatment of psychiatric disorders is weak,^{Reference Bonaccorso, Ricciardi, Zangani, Chiappini and Schifano102} and its use is not the standard of care.

Additional considerations too numerous to cover include the dual orexin receptor agonist suvorexant that inactivates wakefulness, antipsychotics, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, antihistamines, doxepin and clonazepam.^{Reference Young, Hollingdale, Absoud, Bolton, Branney and Colley52,Reference Pavkovic and Kothare64–Reference Bruni, Angriman, Calisti, Comandini, Esposito and Cortese67,Reference Blackmer and Feinstein99} Hypnotics should be limited to short-acting agents for short-term use in severe SOL insomnia, and they should be used only for the shortest time and at the lowest dose.^{Reference Shanahan, Isaac and Blackwell37} Similarly, antipsychotics should never be used as a first line of treatment of insomnia in children or adults,¹⁰³ although sleep disruption may be a secondary benefit when irritability and aggression in ASD/ADHD/sleep disruption are controlled.

Quetiapine is often used as a hypnotic sleep agent in child psychiatry units; however, as with other antipsychotics, it is not considered a first-line choice owing to adverse metabolic effects.^{Reference Pavkovic and Kothare64} The alpha-agonists clonidine and guanfacine have been demonstrated as useful in managing sleep disruption in neurodevelopmental disorders.^{Reference Ramtekkar4,Reference Ballester, Richdale, Baker and Peiró20} Difficulty with settling down at night or hyperarousal is a common problem. Clonidine and guanfacine may be useful for sleep initiation and reducing ADHD symptoms that interfere with sleep onset.^{Reference Pavkovic and Kothare64,Reference Bruni, Angriman, Calisti, Comandini, Esposito and Cortese67}

In summary, significant advances in pharmacological interventions allow clinicians a panoply of options. However, for a precision medicine, evidence-based approach, additional randomised controlled trials are needed to support the management of sleep disorders in ASD/ADHD. This would be expected to include consideration of genetics, biomarkers and other clinical predictors of adverse effects and response to allow treatment to be tailored to individual patients’ needs.^{Reference Cortese95,Reference Cortese, Wang, Angriman, Masi and Bruni104}