SLEEP DISTURBANCES IN CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Sleep problems are common in general population at all ages, but they are more common in children with intellectual and learning disabilities, somewhat in relation to degree of disability. Sleep problems are associated with poor communication and self help skills, poor development and academic progress. Interestingly, there is no clear and widely accepted definition of “learning disability.” There are at least 12 definitions that appear in medical literature. The most comprehensive definition so far used is that of the American Association of Mental Retardation, which is commonly used worldwide. It defines Mental retardation as “significant impairment of intellectual and at least two areas of adaptive functioning before eighteen years of age.”[1]