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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2018 Jun 1.
Published in final edited form as: Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2017 Jun;19(6):34. doi: 10.1007/s11920-017-0782-x

Table 1. Practice pathway 10 step approach.

1. Screen all children with ASD for insomnia with sleep questionnaire annually.
2. Identify any parent or child sleep concerns and discuss.
3. Screen for medical conditions that may be contributing to insomnia and refer to appropriate sub-specialist (Tables 2 and 3).
4. Treat any medical conditions significantly affecting sleep before continuing with the practice pathway.
5. Determine the willingness and capacity of the family to implement a sleep intervention.
6. The first-line approach is parent education about environmental modification, positive bedtime routines, and behavioral strategies.
7. Introduce the ATN Sleep Tool Kit and educational materials with visual schedule.
8. If the family is unable or unwilling to follow environmental and behavioral strategies consider consultation to a sleep specialist.
9. Pharmacological interventions may be considered, start with melatonin.
10. Timely follow-up in 2–4 weeks for all interventions Annual reassessment for all children with ASD