Treatment for Improving Sleep in Residential Setting

ABSTRACT Sleep problems may be characterized by difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep. Although behavioral interventions have been effective in treating these problems for individuals with autism, the necessary components of a sleep treatment for adolescents in a residential setting have not been identified. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and practicality of a multi‐component sleep treatment for individuals with autism living in a residential setting. Intervention components were replicated from previous research, including bedtime fading, bedtime routine, and a sound machine. Additionally, sleep research was extended by using an accelerometer to measure sleep and by evaluating contingency review with delayed reinforcement for decreasing latency to sleep onset and increasing overall sleep. After an effective multi‐component treatment was identified, one or more treatment components were removed to assess maintenance of treatment effects. For all three participants, a multi‐component treatment was effective in decreasing latency to sleep onset.