Parental Experiences of Melatonin Administration to Manage Sleep Disturbances in Autistic Children and Adolescent in the UK
Background: Autistic children and adolescents are 40–80% more likely to experience sleep disturbances than their neurotypical peers. In the United Kingdom, melatonin is licensed for short-term usage in adults at age 55 years and above; however, it is often prescribed to autistic children and adolesc...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Healthcare |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/12/1780 |
| _version_ | 1797594532914659328 |
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| author | Jade Horsnell Stephen Mangar Dagmara Dimitriou Elizabeth J. Halstead |
| author_facet | Jade Horsnell Stephen Mangar Dagmara Dimitriou Elizabeth J. Halstead |
| author_sort | Jade Horsnell |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Autistic children and adolescents are 40–80% more likely to experience sleep disturbances than their neurotypical peers. In the United Kingdom, melatonin is licensed for short-term usage in adults at age 55 years and above; however, it is often prescribed to autistic children and adolescents to help manage their sleep. The current study sought to understand parental experiences and their motivation of using melatonin to manage sleep disturbances of their autistic children. Methods: The sample included 26 parents who took part in online focus groups answering questions regarding their experiences of using melatonin as a sleep treatment for their children diagnosed with autism between 4 and 18 years old. Results: Four main themes were identified: (i) parental perception of melatonin used as ‘a naturally produced hormone’; (ii) perceived benefits of using melatonin to improve their child’s sleep; (iii) administration of melatonin: dosage amount, timing and pulverising; and (iv) expectation and apprehension over melatonin use. Conclusion: Some parents reported success with the use of melatonin, and others reported the effects being limited or diminishing in time. Suggestions for healthcare professionals and families regarding melatonin usage in the UK are made with respect to setting clear guidelines for usage, whilst ensuring expectations are set and managed appropriately. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T02:24:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8b24fb1a97934624a6104c29973663ed |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9032 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T02:24:34Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Healthcare |
| spelling | doaj.art-8b24fb1a97934624a6104c29973663ed2023-11-18T10:39:01ZengMDPI AGHealthcare2227-90322023-06-011112178010.3390/healthcare11121780Parental Experiences of Melatonin Administration to Manage Sleep Disturbances in Autistic Children and Adolescent in the UKJade Horsnell0Stephen Mangar1Dagmara Dimitriou2Elizabeth J. Halstead3Sleep Education and Research Laboratory, UCL Institute of Education, 25 Woburn Square, London WC1H 0AA, UKSleep Education and Research Laboratory, UCL Institute of Education, 25 Woburn Square, London WC1H 0AA, UKSleep Education and Research Laboratory, UCL Institute of Education, 25 Woburn Square, London WC1H 0AA, UKPsychology and Human Development, UCL Institute of Education, London WC1H 0AA, UKBackground: Autistic children and adolescents are 40–80% more likely to experience sleep disturbances than their neurotypical peers. In the United Kingdom, melatonin is licensed for short-term usage in adults at age 55 years and above; however, it is often prescribed to autistic children and adolescents to help manage their sleep. The current study sought to understand parental experiences and their motivation of using melatonin to manage sleep disturbances of their autistic children. Methods: The sample included 26 parents who took part in online focus groups answering questions regarding their experiences of using melatonin as a sleep treatment for their children diagnosed with autism between 4 and 18 years old. Results: Four main themes were identified: (i) parental perception of melatonin used as ‘a naturally produced hormone’; (ii) perceived benefits of using melatonin to improve their child’s sleep; (iii) administration of melatonin: dosage amount, timing and pulverising; and (iv) expectation and apprehension over melatonin use. Conclusion: Some parents reported success with the use of melatonin, and others reported the effects being limited or diminishing in time. Suggestions for healthcare professionals and families regarding melatonin usage in the UK are made with respect to setting clear guidelines for usage, whilst ensuring expectations are set and managed appropriately.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/12/1780autism spectrum disordersleep disorderchild and adolescentsmelatonin |
| spellingShingle | Jade Horsnell Stephen Mangar Dagmara Dimitriou Elizabeth J. Halstead Parental Experiences of Melatonin Administration to Manage Sleep Disturbances in Autistic Children and Adolescent in the UK Healthcare autism spectrum disorder sleep disorder child and adolescents melatonin |
| title | Parental Experiences of Melatonin Administration to Manage Sleep Disturbances in Autistic Children and Adolescent in the UK |
| title_full | Parental Experiences of Melatonin Administration to Manage Sleep Disturbances in Autistic Children and Adolescent in the UK |
| title_fullStr | Parental Experiences of Melatonin Administration to Manage Sleep Disturbances in Autistic Children and Adolescent in the UK |
| title_full_unstemmed | Parental Experiences of Melatonin Administration to Manage Sleep Disturbances in Autistic Children and Adolescent in the UK |
| title_short | Parental Experiences of Melatonin Administration to Manage Sleep Disturbances in Autistic Children and Adolescent in the UK |
| title_sort | parental experiences of melatonin administration to manage sleep disturbances in autistic children and adolescent in the uk |
| topic | autism spectrum disorder sleep disorder child and adolescents melatonin |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/12/1780 |
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