Desperate for Sleep: Exploring Parental Perceptions of Melatonin Use Among Adolescents With Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Sleep disturbances are common in adolescents diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Sleep-related impairment can include worsening of underlying symptoms such as stereotypic and repetitive behavior, inattention, hyperactivity, and impaired learning. Exogenous melatonin has shown promise in improving sleep onset latency and total sleep time in adolescents with NDDs. The purpose of this study was to describe parents' experiences with sleep disturbance, sleep-related impairment, and exogenous melatonin use in their adolescent child diagnosed with an NDD.

Design and methods

We conducted semi-structured interviews with twenty-six parents of adolescents (11-18 years

SUBMITTER: Hanish AE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12579445 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature