P017 A Model for Behavioural Sleep Intervention via Telehealth for Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Approximately 1 in 150 people in Australia are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2017). Studies suggest up to 80% of children diagnosed with ASD experience sleep difficulties (Cortesi et al., 2010). Behavioural sleep intervention is effective to improve sleep difficulties for children diagnosed with ASD (Jin, Hanley & Beaulieu, 2013). Additionally, caregiver support via telehealth can provide clients with greater access and flexibility of services. This paper will explore the current research on behavioural sleep intervention from a Behaviour-Analytic perspective and provide a model for behavioural sleep intervention via telehealth. This three-phase model includes: (1) an initial comprehensive behavioural sleep assessment, including the Sleep Assessment and Treatment Tool (Hanley, 2005) and baseline data collection to gather information on the child’s current sleep schedule and behaviours, (2) supporting caregiver implementation of an individualised behavioural sleep intervention via telehealth, including daily data collection and graphing to monitor efficacy throughout the intervention, and (3) ongoing review and revision alongside the caregiver until their and their child’s sleep goal has been achieved. By providing evidence-based behavioural sleep intervention via telehealth, children diagnosed with ASD can achieve healthy sleep.