Exploring Sleep, Mood, and Quality of Life Issues in Adolescents and Adults With Autism and Asperger

A.Background Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by core symptoms such as social communication difficulties and repetitive behaviors. Considering the challenges of employment and social environments for adult and adolescents with ASD, sleep problems, quality of life, and functioning may be more severely impacted in adults and adolescents than in children. However, there is few research on sleep problems in adult and adolescents with ASD, as well as a lack of studies on different types of sleep problems in adults and adolescents with ASD. Furthermore, the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) is a commonly used assessment tool for ASD, but there are currently lack of validation studies for the adult version of the scale in Taiwan, necessitating further exploration.

B.Purpose This study aims to compare sleep patterns in adults and adolescents with Asperger's syndrome and high-functioning autism using subjective and objective measures such as questionnaires, actigraphy, and PSG. We also explore these factors affecting sleep and related issues including cognitive function, emotional and behavioral problems, autism symptoms, and quality of life. This research will enhance our understanding of sleep problems in Asperger's syndrome and high-functioning autism, tracking the changes in sleep patterns of autism patients at different developmental stages, the relevance to quality of life and prognosis, and also evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese Social Responsiveness Scale-Adult Version.

C.Study design This study is a cross-sectional study consisting of two parts. The first part is a retrospective study that includes adolescents and adults with Asperger's syndrome and high-functioning autism who underwent overnight polysomnography in the past. Their sleep studies results and questionnaires were collected. The second part is a prospective study involving outpatient adolescents and adults with Asperger's syndrome and high-functioning autism who have not undergone polysomnography. After enrollment, they undergo sleep studies using subjective and objective measurements including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), actigraphy, and polysomnography. They also complete questionnaires such as the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) for assessing emotional and behavioral problems, the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC), the Chinese version of the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham IV Scale (SNAP-IV), and the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) for assessing autism-related symptoms. Additionally, anxiety and depression symptoms are assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), respectively. The SF-36 Health Survey is used to evaluate quality of life. Correlation analyses are conducted, and comparisons are made with a control group of typically developing adults and adolescents.

D.Predicted results This study aim to predict that sleep patterns in adolescents and adults with autism are associated with depression, anxiety, poorer functioning, lower quality of life, autism symptoms, and poorer prognosis. Considering the increased stress of work and workplace adaptation difficulties in adults and adolescents, they are expected to experience more sleep problems compared to typically developing adults. Additionally, adults and adolescents with Asperger's syndrome and high-functioning autism are likely to exhibit different sleep patterns. Furthermore, additional analysis could be conducted on the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Social Responsiveness Scale for adults. The results could then be applied to adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Taiwan.