Feasibility and effectiveness of a clinical model of sleep education for children with IDD: a record review

Abstract

Introduction This study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of implementing a brief community-based sleep education intervention within a collaborative clinical in academic medical setting for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Methods Record reviews were conducted from a behavioral sleep clinic serving children with IDD (age ≤ 18 years). Sixty-five children and caregiver received individualized insomnia recommendations. A follow-up visit occurred 1–3 months later. Clinical notes were evaluated using a modified Pediatric Sleep and Autism Clinical Global Impressions Scale to assess effectiveness and feasibility. Results At first follow-up, 85% of caregivers reported compliance with recommendations; 85% of whom reported significant sleep improvement. Only 20% of non-compliant families reported improvement. Compliance at first follow-up was significantly associated with improvement in insomnia (Pearson chi-square and Fisher's exact test p < 0.0001). Conclusion Brief collaborative sleep education interventions are feasible and effective for improving insomnia in most children with IDD.