O007 Unseen sleep burden in children with Neurodisability: MSPSQ Findings

Abstract Introduction Children with neurodisability (ND) are at increased risk of pervasive sleep disturbances, creating significant implications and challenges for their health, learning and development which, in turn, impacts family well-being. Despite this, prevalence data highlighting the extent and nature of sleep problems in Australian children with ND remains scarce. Methods This cross-sectional study collected parent-reported data from 300 Australian families of children with ND using the Modified Simonds and Parraga Sleep Questionnaire (MSPSQ). Participants were recruited from two sub-groups 1) from three tertiary sleep clinics and (2) from the community recruited through community support organisations. MSPSQ total (TS) and composite scores (CI) were used to quantify overall and domain-specific sleep disturbances. Statistical analyses explored differences by age, ND sub-groups, and referral source. Results Across the sample, 72% of children scored (M = 69.01: SD ±15.77) above clinical cut off (56), indicating a high prevalence of clinically significant sleep disturbance. Diagnostic categories were stratified into 4 broad ND subgroups (genetic syndromes, ASD/ADHD, neurological, Other). All groups scored above the threshold, with the ASD/ADHD group showing greater severity of sleep disturbance. Primary school aged children had the highest sleep disturbance scores. Notably, the community sample reported significantly higher composite scores (CI) than the hospital-referred group, yet nearly half had never accessed specialist sleep services. Conclusion This study highlights the prevalence of significant sleep disturbance in children with ND and aims to bring attention to the need for routine sleep screening and targeted intervention. Addressing this hidden burden could meaningfully improve child and family outcomes.