EPISODE 159
Sleep Disturbances in Autism and Neurodivergent Conditions: A Discussion with Dr. Beth Malow, MD, Neurologist and Sleep Disorder Expert
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Show Notes
Dr. Malow, discusses how sleep problems affect approximately 80% of individuals on the autism spectrum and family members, emphasizing that improving sleep can positively impact every aspect of an autistic person’s life and the life of the family. She explained that sleep deprivation exacerbates existing challenges and can lead to irritability and impaired social communication, which are already core features of autism. Beth framed sleep as a “window” to help autistic individuals and families, contrasting this positive approach with the common tendency to focus on difficult behavioral patterns when sleep issues occur.
Featuring
Dr. Beth Malow
Dr. Beth Malow is Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics in the Vanderbilt Sleep Division and holds the Burry Endowed Chair in Cognitive Childhood Development. Dr. Malow is board certified in neurology and Sleep Medicine. She previously served as Vice-Chair for Research and Academic Affairs within Neurology, and Vice Chair of the governor-appointed Tennessee Autism Council. She also served as principal investigator for Vanderbilt’s Autism Treatment Network, one of the regional autism centers across North America that develops standards of medical care for children with autism. Prior to joining the faculty at Vanderbilt, Dr. Malow was a tenured associate professor of Neurology at the University of Michigan and director of the Sleep Medicine Fellowship Program and the General Clinical Research Center Sleep Program. She is also the parent of two autistic children and co-author of “Beyond the Politics of Contempt- Practical Steps for Building Positive Relationships in Divided Times.”
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…and Continue the Discussion
Do you have a book or podcast club? If so, you may use this discussion guide to facilitate a conversation about this episode.
1. How does Beth’s personal history and lived experience inform her beliefs about sleep problems and the disabling aspects of sleep disturbances in autistic and neurodivergent children and adults. How does this impact her approach to support individuals and families?
2. According to Beth, what aspects of daily routines and specific strategies are most helpful and are a good match for neurodivergent individuals? What have you implemented with yourself or others and have found helpful?
3. Beth’s approach is characterized by a person and family centered approach when working with individuals and families. What was most striking to you about how she integrates these philosophies for the long-term benefits of improving sleep? What new strategies do you feel you can do for yourself, your students, or your family?
HOSTED BY
Barry Prizant, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Dr. Barry Prizant is a speech-language pathologist with more than 50 years experience as a researcher and international consultant for autistic and neurodivergent individuals and their families. He is an Adjunct Professor of Communicative Disorders at the University of Rhode Island and Director, Childhood Communication Services (a private practice). Previously, he served as Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry in the Brown University School of Medicine, and held a tenured professor appointment at Emerson College. Publications include 5 books, most notably Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism (2015; 2022) and The SCERTS Model manuals, an educational approach implemented in more than a dozen countries. He has published 150 scholarly chapters and articles and serves on numerous professional advisory boards for journals and professional organizations. Barry has presented more than 1000 seminars and keynote addresses internationally, including two invited presentations at the United Nations for World Autism Awareness Day. His career contributions have been recognized with honors from Brown and Princeton Universities, the Autism Society of America and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Visit Barry’s website here
Uniquely Human, the book (Updated and Expanded edition!)
Dave Finch
Dave Finch is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir, The Journal of Best Practices: A Memoir of Marriage, Asperger Syndrome, and One Man’s Quest to Be a Better Husband. As a writer and creative consultant, his work has appeared on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, NPR, SiriusXM, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, The Howard Stern Show, and the award-winning Netflix series, Atypical. Based in Denver, Dave’s company, Elevated Studio, produces this podcast and other recognized series.
Visit Dave’s website here
“I have read a million and one books on Autism. Uniquely Human is the best book I have ever read, hands down. Thank you Barry for this incredible gift!!!!”
– Navah Paskovitz, Mother of three boys with Autism, Co-Founder, the Ed Asner Family Center
“Compassion, learning and supportive strategies–the three essentials for working with folks with ASD–are an integral part of this must-read book.”
– Michelle Garcia Winner, Speech Language Pathologist and Founder of Social Thinking
“Thanks be to Barry for the first-ever must read written for parents, educators, and clinicians.”
– Michael John Carley, Founder, GRASP; Author of Asperger’s From the Inside-Out
“What makes the book compelling is how funny Mr. Finch is about himself. He’s great company.”
– Susannah Meadows, The New York Times
“In this hilarious memoir (which also gives some of the finest explications of Asperger’s out there), Finch approaches trying to be a better husband and father with the determination of Sherman marching on Atlanta.”
– Judith Newman, People (4/4 stars)
“Talk about being on a roll. This dude wrote a book, he has Asperger’s syndrome. He cured himself by listening to me on the radio!”
– Howard Stern