Sorry, this project has finished.

Please contact 2435858S@student.gla.ac.uk with any questions about this study.

Debriefing information: Autism traits and sleep problems: the role of atypical sensory processing

Thank you very much for your participation!

What is the purpose of this study?

We want to find out whether differences in sensory perception (for example being more sensitive to light, or sounds…), which are commonly experienced by people on the autism spectrum, can lead to problems sleeping. We will look at non-autistic adults with high and low autistic traits, as well as at autistic adults.

One of our questionnaires, the Comprehensive Autistic Trait Inventory, will measure the level of autistic characteristics in the non-autistic group, which will help us see the impact of sensory differences on sleep difficulties in people who have many autistic characteristics, as well as more generally.

Our hope is that, with your contribution, we can better understand the causes of sleep problems in these groups of people, and inform future sleep therapies.

Further information about the topic if you are interested:

You are welcome to ask any questions you might have at: 2435858S@student.gla.ac.uk (Jessie) or Stephany.biello@glasgow.ac.uk (Prof. Stephany Biello, dissertation supervisor).

More information about autism and sensory processing at:

The following references also provide a background to the current study:

Hohn, V. D., de Veld, D. M., Mataw, K. J., van Someren, E. J., & Begeer, S. (2019). Insomnia severity in adults with autism spectrum disorder is associated with sensory hyper-reactivity and Social Skill Impairment

Robertson, A. E., & Simmons, D. R. (2013). The relationship between sensory sensitivity and autistic traits in the general population. Journal of Autism and Developmental disorders, 43(4), 775-784.

English, M. C., Gignac, G. E., Visser, T. A., Whitehouse, A. J., Enns, J. T., & Maybery, M. T. (2021). The comprehensive autistic trait inventory (CATI): Development and validation of a new measure of autistic traits in the general population. Molecular Autism, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13229-021-00445-7

Can you tell me my results?

I will only be able to provide anonymised group results.

Support services

If you have any concerns about your health and wellbeing, please contact your local GP.

Thank you again for your time and contribution.

Extended debrief:

Main Hypotheses:

Increased sensory responsivity will predict the severity of sleep problems in adults with high autistic traits The relationship between sensory responsivity and strength of sleep problems will vary according to the sensory modality addressed.

Design:

Within-subjects design

Statistical analysis:

Using multiple regression analysis, we will measure the ability of our sensory sensitivity questionnaire to explain sleep problems as per our sleep questionnaires. We will also measure the effect of each sensory modality (visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, tactile, vestibular and proprioceptive).