Adaptive behavior, sleep, and physical activity in adolescents with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

BACKGROUND

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is broadly associated with impairments to adaptive behavior and dysfunctional sleep. Associations between sleep, adaptive behavior, and physical activity are frequently drawn in discussions of typical development and other clinical conditions.

AIMS: In this study, we sought to characterize patterns of sleep, adaptive behavior, and physical activity in adolescents with FASD. We also investigated the associations between sleep, adaptive behavior, and physical activity within this population.

METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Twenty-seven adolescents aged 11- to 17-years with a diagnosis of FASD and their caregivers participated in this study. All participants completed parent and youth questionnaires on adaptive behavior, sleep, and physical activity.

OUTCOMES AND

RESULTS

Adolescents with FASD displayed significant impairments to all domains of adaptive behavior and considerable sleep disturbance. Worse sleep was associated with older age and sleep-related breathing disturbances were associated with poorer social adaptive behavior. Participation in physical activity, particularly organized sport, was strongly associated with better adaptive behavior.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Adolescents with FASD experience considerable challenges with regards to sleep and adaptive behavior. Physical activity, particularly organized sport, may provide opportunities for the improvement of adaptive behavior in this population.