Scoping Review of Socio-Ecological Factors Contributing to Sleep Health Disparities in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The review is a scoping review, so it maps the literature rather than testing the effectiveness of interventions. Most included studies were cross-sectional, so they show associations but cannot prove that specific factors cause sleep problems. There was significant heterogeneity in how sleep and socioeconomic factors were measured across the 41 studies. The literature reviewed is not representative of diverse populations, with limited data on race, ethnicity, and low-income families. Only three studies examined factors at all three socio-ecological levels (individual, family, and neighborhood), making it hard to see how these factors interact.

Do not assume that standard sleep hygiene advice works for every family. This review shows that sleep problems are deeply tied to socioeconomic stress, anxiety, and cultural context, and most research has not included diverse or low-income populations, so general guidelines may not apply to your patients.