Khaberni - A recent study has shown that monitoring the sleep traits in infants can help predict whether a child is autistic or at risk of developing autism later.
Researchers from the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom studied the sleep of 44 infants, some at higher risk of autism due to having siblings who are diagnosed, and identified 5 traits that may later indicate a diagnosis, which are:
Incomplete deep sleep.
Sleep disturbance in noisy environments.
Continued brain response to sounds during deep sleep.
Incomplete sleep even in complete silence.
Excessive sensory sensitivity.
The research team monitored brain waves during two daytime naps for each infant, one in complete silence and another with low background noise, while the children wore hats fitted with electrodes to record their brain activity. Parents also completed questionnaires on their children's daily behaviors, such as responses to loud sounds, being upset by sudden touch, or resistance to being held and cuddled.
The results showed that children with excessive sensitivity experience less deep sleep even in quiet environments, and their brains wake up easily when hearing faint sounds, as their brains produce fewer slow waves and sleep spindles, which are natural mechanisms that protect sleep. When background noises are present, a further reduction in these waves occurs, making sleep more fragile.
Dr. Anna De Laite, the study's lead author, said: "These traits do not necessarily mean the child has autism, but they help us understand how early sensory differences affect sleep during infancy."
Dr. Theodora Gliga, a psychologist, added: "Reducing noise might help children with excessive sensitivity, but it is not enough alone, because their sleep is shallow even in quiet environments. Good sleep is essential for brain development and psychological well-being, so understanding these differences is fundamental to better supporting families."
The study suggests that sleep difficulties and sensory differences appear before the more apparent traits of autism, such as delays in communication or social skills, which may help identify children who need early support, possibly before traditional signs of autism emerge.
