Are sleep problems a separate issue, symptom, influencer, or core issue of autism? 2022-11-23
Sleep has been an interest of mine for years but it feels like a while since I wrote about it here.
WOW! There has been a ton of new research related specifically to autism! Too much to summarize here.
Instead, we’ll do an overview of how to look at a problem.
Quote:
If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?
~Albert Einstein
Action Ideas (ideas to get ya thinkin'. Definitely not medical advice)
Why does it matter how we look at an issue such as sleep and its relationship to autism?
If we view it as a separate issue, then we put it in a separate box and deal with it on its own.
If we view it as a symptom, then we would try to figure out what causes the symptom.
If we see it as an influencer (i.e. when someone is low on sleep, their autism symptoms are worse), then we look to improve sleep issues in order reduce unwanted autism symptoms or why the two are related.
If we see it as core issue, which it might be, then it would be given the same importance as other autism markers.
Not only does the question affect how we view the question, it influences funding.
So, which one is the best sleep question?
Or is it a bit of each?
That’s where basic research comes into play. That’s where a study is done to try to get a better basic understanding of a topic with the intent of further study once there is more clarity on which path to follow.
Sleep can be classified in all of the above contexts which makes research results an interconnected web of information. A sometimes confusing and sometimes contradictory web.
So why is it so confusing? That will have to be left until next week, unless you want to read a novella, which you told me you don’t.
And if you are interested in a weighted blanket, treat yourself to luxury!
Have a curious and maybe non-confusing week (but confusion can be a good thing if it leads to insight). 😊
If we view it as a separate issue, then we put it in a separate box and deal with it on its own.
If we view it as a symptom, then we would try to figure out what causes the symptom.
If we see it as an influencer (i.e. when someone is low on sleep, their autism symptoms are worse), then we look to improve sleep issues in order reduce unwanted autism symptoms or why the two are related.
If we see it as core issue, which it might be, then it would be given the same importance as other autism markers.
Not only does the question affect how we view the question, it influences funding.
So, which one is the best sleep question?
Or is it a bit of each?
That’s where basic research comes into play. That’s where a study is done to try to get a better basic understanding of a topic with the intent of further study once there is more clarity on which path to follow.
Sleep can be classified in all of the above contexts which makes research results an interconnected web of information. A sometimes confusing and sometimes contradictory web.
So why is it so confusing? That will have to be left until next week, unless you want to read a novella, which you told me you don’t.
And if you are interested in a weighted blanket, treat yourself to luxury!
Have a curious and maybe non-confusing week (but confusion can be a good thing if it leads to insight). 😊
Providing calmness & comfort, learning & laughter,
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