Sleep disorders in developmentally disabled children

Sleep-wakefulness (SW) cycle is a circadian biological rhythm that provides for better adaptation to the environment In infants, the degree of maturation of the central nervous system appears to be a critical factor in the development of a normal SW cycle. Neurologically disabled infants and children may lack important visual and social cues necessary for normal development of the SW cycle, thus leading to disturbed sleep. Common sleep disturbances in this group, as well as potential therapeutic options, are discussed.