The VocoVision Sleepy States Report

March 7, 2024By: VocoVision

Man sleeping on couch while his kid is playing at home. Boys running around at home with building blocks spread on the floor.

VocoVision is not just about providing teletherapy jobs; we’re on a mission to make a positive impact on the lives of children and families across the nation. We recognize that sufficient sleep is required for healthy brain development, especially during early childhood—yet scholarly research reveals that nearly 25% of typically developing children demonstrate sleep problems. (Mazzone et al., 2018).

For National Sleep Awareness Week from March 10 to 16, VocoVision is shining a spotlight on the critical importance of sleep for both children and parents with this report

The Sleepy States Report uncovers the sleeping habits of parents and children nationwide, revealing how the states rank when it comes to family sleep quality. In addition, it features expert-led advice on fostering healthy sleep habits in children and insights into how neurodiverse children require tailored care when it comes to their nightly routines.

Sleep is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity for growth, development, and overall well-being. Read the report findings below and learn how to ensure a good night’s sleep for your family!

States with The Most Sleep-Deprived Parents

Dr. Kathryn Steele, Ph.D., the Director of Clinical Services for VocoVision, emphasizes the need for increased awareness about the significance of sleep for parental well-being.

“Sleep disturbances may increase stress across the entire family, which may increase undesirable behaviors in children,” said Steele. “Unfortunately, the family may engage in a cycle where chronic poor sleep leads to chronic stress and behavioral challenges.”

The report, which looked at the age-adjusted prevalence of adults who reported short sleep duration, uncovered a fascinating array of sleep patterns that varied greatly by state, ranging from 29.3% in Colorado to 42.8% in West Virginia.

States where parents get the most and least sleep.

The Dreamiest States for Well-Rested Kids

The states where children get the most sleep were determined by looking at the percentage of children aged 4 months to 14 years who receive the recommended age-appropriate hours of sleep, as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Utah takes the lead as the state with the best sleepers, where three out of four children (74.9%) get the recommended hours of sleep every night. Following Utah are New Hampshire, Minnesota, and Washington.

States where children get the most and least sleep.

Nurturing Healthy Sleep Habits in Children

Sleep-deprived children demonstrate a myriad of emotional and behavioral challenges, such as depression, anxiety, stress, impulsivity, and aggression (Contie, 2022). Further, cognitive impairments, including reduced memory, learning, and attentional capacity, may occur (Contie, 2022).

Dr. Kathryn Steele says the most important way to encourage healthy sleep in children, especially for neurodiverse children, is to establish morning and evening routines and stick with them.

“A consistent routine is critical to better sleep,” said Dr. Kathryn Steele. “Because parents are trying to trigger the child’s body to release melatonin at the same time every night, it is important to keep the same wake [and] sleep schedule, even on the weekend. Having the same activities leading up to bedtime and also upon waking will further reinforce the routine for the child.”

According to Dr. Kathryn Steele, below are six essential tips for encouraging healthy sleep in children:

Establish Routines: Parents should take care to create bedtime and waking routines for their children. Involve the children in choosing the activities for the routines, or in having choices within the routines, such as which pajamas to wear.
Turn Off Electronics 2-3 Hours Before Bedtime: The blue light from electronics tricks the brain into thinking that it is still daytime, and it prevents the release of melatonin. Turn off electronics at least two to three hours before bedtime to encourage the healthy production of melatonin.
Encourage Daytime Exercise: A healthy diet and adequate exercise are important for all children, but particularly so for neurodiverse children. Allow the child to play or exercise as much as possible during the day so that the child feels tired once bedtime arrives.
Create a Sleep Environment: To reduce stress and create a healthy sleep environment, ensure that the child is only using their bedroom for sleeping. Other activities, such as homework or watching television, should occur in another part of the home environment.
Get the Worries Out: If the child tends to have worried thoughts before or during bedtime—get the worries out in a healthy way. As part of the bedtime routine, the child can draw, list, or discuss anything that may turn into a ruminating thought.
Consider Sensory Sensitivities: White noise is helpful for some children but distracting for others. Temperature, light, smells, and fabric textures may also affect the child’s ability to sleep. Consider your child’s sensory needs and ensure the sleep environment is comfortable for them.

Sleep in Neurodiverse Children

Recognizing that neurodiverse children may require tailored care, VocoVision emphasizes the importance of individualized approaches.

“Research is still emerging on the long-term impact of sleep disorders on neurodiverse children,” said Dr. Kathryn Steele. “However, the quality of sleep tends to be poor for neurodivergent children compared to neurotypical children.”

For example, children with autism spectrum disorder spend less time than neurotypical children in the REM sleep stage (Buckley et al, 2010), which may contribute to poor processing of memories and emotions. In addition, children with ASD and ADHD often have an imbalance of melatonin, which affects the ability of their bodies to regulate an appropriate sleep and wake cycle.

Sensory sensitivities may cause neurodiverse children to have more difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, as neurodiverse children may be particular about lights, noises, smells, temperature, or fabric textures, and slight changes may prevent restful sleep.

Dr. Kathryn Steele encourages parents of neurodiverse children to tailor their bedtime routines and sleep environments to accommodate sensory sensitivities, providing the necessary support for a restful night.

Sweet Dreams from VocoVision

VocoVision remains committed to raising awareness about the importance of sleep in both children and parents. Join us in the mission to prioritize healthy sleep habits for all by adopting routines and educating your children on the importance of sleep.

If you’re a school professional who is passionate about helping children receive the care and support they need to live healthy, happy lives, VocoVision has an abundance of opportunities for you! Every day, we connect children, families, schools, and communities to professionals with the specific clinical and language skills they need. Break down barriers to service and explore opportunities with VocoVision today.

Data Sources

CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2020. Short sleep duration based on response to the question: “On average, how many hours of sleep do you get in a 24-hour period?” Prevalence age-standardized to the 2000 US projected population.
Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative. 2022 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) data query. Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB).

References

Buckley, A. W., Rodriguez, A. J., Jennison, K., Buckley, J., Thurm, A., Sato, S., & Swedo, S. (2010). Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Percentage in Children with Autism Compared with Children with Developmental Delay and Typical Development. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 164(11). https://doi.org/10.1001/archpediatrics.2010.202

Contie, V. (2022, August 30). Children’s sleep linked to brain development. National Institutes of Health (NIH). https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/children-s-sleep-linked-brain-development#:~:text=The%20researchers%20found%20that%20children

Gallagher, S., Phillips, A. C., & Carroll, D. (2009). Parental stress is associated with poor sleep quality in parents caring for children with developmental disabilities. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 35(7), 728–737. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsp093

Johnson, C. R., Smith, T., DeMand, A., Lecavalier, L., Evans, V., Gurka, M., Swiezy, N., Bearss, K., & Scahill, L. (2018). Exploring sleep quality of young children with autism spectrum disorder and disruptive behaviors. Sleep Medicine, 44, 61-66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2018.01.008

Mazzone, L., Postorino, V., Siracusano, M., Riccioni, A., & Curatolo, P. (2018). The Relationship between Sleep Problems, Neurobiological Alterations, Core Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Psychiatric Comorbidities. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 7(5), 102. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm7050102

Yan, T., & Goldman, R. D. (2020). Melatonin for children with autism spectrum disorder. Canadian Family Physician, 66(3), 183–185. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8302336/

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2018.01.008

Mazzone, L., Postorino, V., Siracusano, M., Riccioni, A., & Curatolo, P. (2018). The Relationship between Sleep Problems, Neurobiological Alterations, Core Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Psychiatric Comorbidities. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 7(5), 102. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm7050102

Yan, T., & Goldman, R. D. (2020). Melatonin for children with autism spectrum disorder. Canadian Family Physician, 66(3), 183–185. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8302336/