Poor Sleep in Babies May Signal Early Autism Risk, New Study Finds

New research reveals that babies with a higher likelihood of autism struggle with poor sleep quality from as early as three months old. Studies over the past five years show these infants experience shallower rest, even in complete silence, long before any formal diagnosis. Scientists now suggest this could serve as an early sign of sensory processing differences linked to autism.

International studies, including work from Jones et al. (2022, USA) and Reynolds et al. (2024, UK/Australia), highlight sleep disturbances as a potential biomarker for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Infants with autistic siblings—who face a higher statistical chance of diagnosis—display disrupted sleep patterns well before behavioural symptoms appear. Despite spending the same total time in deep sleep as other babies, their brain activity shows weaker slow-wave patterns, indicating less restorative rest.

The findings suggest these infants' brains remain more alert to sensory input, even during sleep. Unlike their peers, they struggle to fully disengage from external stimuli, pointing to differences in neural wiring. Researchers propose that improving sensory filtering during sleep could support healthier early brain development.

Interventions like behavioral therapy programmes, such as the PICU-Programme (Schwichtenberg, 2023), have already shown promise in addressing these sleep issues. By targeting sleep quality early, experts believe it may be possible to mitigate some developmental challenges before a formal autism diagnosis at around age three.

The discovery of sleep disturbances as an early indicator opens new possibilities for intervention. If further research confirms that enhancing sensory processing during sleep benefits brain development, it could lead to earlier support for at-risk infants. For now, the findings underscore the importance of monitoring sleep quality in babies with a family history of autism.