Do Sleep and Circadian Rhythm Disturbances Impact the Cognitive and Behavioural Development of Children With Autism?

The primary objective of this study is to undertake a longitudinal investigation of the impact of sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances on cognitive and behavioural trajectories in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) age 3-10 years old. This innovative study will use objective quantifiable measures of sleep and circadian rhythms in addition to subjective measures. The investigators aim to assess the hypotheses that, in pre-pubertal children with ASD, 1. sleep disturbances are correlated with circadian rhythm disturbances; 2. both sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances are negatively correlated with cognitive performance and positively correlated with behavioural disturbances; 3. sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances, most notably abnormal melatonin secretion, impact the cognitive and behavioural development of children with ASD, depending on age (prospective longitudinal analyses).