P057 Clinician perspectives on online sleep program for children with neurodisabilities

Abstract Introduction Children with neurodisabilities (ND) frequently experience complex behavioral sleep issues, often exacerbated by parental fatigue, inconsistent routines, and overlapping medical needs. The Lights Out online program was developed by Professor Caroline Donovan and colleagues to primarily support families of neurotypical children by delivering psychoeducation and behavioral sleep strategies in a self-paced, accessible format. This study explored clinician perspectives on the Lights Out online program’s relevance, accessibility, and adaptability for families of children with ND attending a tertiary sleep medicine clinic. Methods Two structured focus groups were conducted with five multidisciplinary clinicians from a tertiary sleep clinic including doctors and nurses. Participants were asked 12 key questions regarding their perspectives on the sleep needs of children with ND, the Lights Out program and its applicability for this cohort of children. Discussions were analysed through inductive thematic analysis. Results Three key themes were identified: 1) clinical challenges including interdisciplinary communication, 2) family-level barriers including parental exhaustion, and 3) gaps in tailoring of treatment. All clinicians indicated that the core content of the program was relevant, and goal setting particularly beneficial for families of ND children. Most clinicians reported that with appropriate modifications tailored to specific ND, the program could be effectively implemented as part of standard care. Conclusion Clinicians perceived the foundational strengths of the Lights Out program for children with ND but emphasized the need for tailored, flexible delivery for families navigating complex sleep and developmental challenges. Findings highlight opportunities to co-design content enhancements with both clinicians and families.