Father experiences of sleeping problems in children with autism

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the role of fathers in the management of sleeping problems in children with autism and their perspectives of the impact of these on family life Design/methodology/approach: Twenty five semi-structured interviews were undertaken with fathers of children with autism, resident in the UK Findings: Two thirds of fathers reported that their children experienced severe sleeping problems in the areas of bed-time resistance, sleep onset and night-time waking. Fathers were significantly involved in the management of these difficulties and reported a range of associated deleterious impacts on the family, including significant negative effects on paternal and maternal health, father employment, couple relationship and sibling experiences. Research limitations/implications: The sample consists of men who were from an almost exclusively white ethnic background, two thirds of whom were educated to degree level or above and therefore cannot be said to be representative of all fathers of children with autism. Having said this, given the scarcity of father perspectives in autism, it is argued that the current study does serve to extend knowledge in this under-researched area. Practical implications: Improvements in effective, family-centred provision are urgently needed which employ a co-parenting, gender-differentiated methodology. Social implications: Given the severity and frequency of difficulties, sleeping problems in children with autism should be viewed as a significant public health concern. Originality/value: This is one of the first studies, qualitative or quantitative, to explore the role and perspectives of fathers of children with autism in the important area of sleep management.

http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/AIA-...