Parenting strategies to support sleep in autistic children: A Delphi consensus study

Sleep disturbances are common in autistic children, reducing quality of life for both children and their parents. Parents have a key role in managing their autistic child’s sleep, however, there is limited guidance on evidence-based strategies to support parents’ efforts. The present study utilised the Delphi methodology to establish expert consensus on parenting strategies for supporting sleep in autistic children. Parenting strategies to support autistic children’s sleep were identified from a search of online sources and grey literature. Individuals who had expertise in neurodevelopment, paediatric sleep, and/or parenting were recruited to participate as panel members, rating the strategies across three online surveys and providing feedback and suggestions for new strategies. Each survey aimed to identify if the strategy reached consensus (rated as Essential or Important by ≥ 90 % of the panel members) or rejected (rated as Essential or Important by < 80 % of panel members). Strategies that were not clearly accepted or rejected were re-rated in the subsequent survey. Thirty-one panel members from eight different countries formed the panel. Thirty panel members completed the first survey, and 22 panel members completed the second and third surveys. Panel members rated a total of 232 parenting strategies across the three surveys. In total, the panel endorsed 75 strategies, covering topics such as setting bedtime routines, creating a sleep-promoting environment, and talking to children about sleep. These strategies were compiled to create parenting guidelines, which may act as a resource for parents and the wider community to support their autistic child to sleep better. Future research may extend on this by exploring how to best support parents to implement these strategies. • This study identifies a number of expert-endorsed parenting strategies for supporting sleep in autistic children. • These include supporting a bedtime routine, promoting a good sleep environment, talking to children about sleep, and more. • Findings identify possible strategies for parents to implement independently to support their autistic child’s sleep.