ABSTRACT Sleep disturbances are the comorbid conditions most frequently associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Sleep problems might precede and worsen the behavioral outcomes of ASD. This study examined the association between sleep habits/problems and autistic traits in toddlers. Eighteen-month-old toddlers (N = 426; boys/girls, 204/222) were assessed for autistic traits using the Japanese version of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers and sleep habits/problems using the Child and Adolescent Sleep Checklist during health checkups. There were no significant differences in sleep habits, including total sleep time, wake time, bedtime, and naps, between autistic toddlers (n= 26) and non-autistic toddlers (n= 400). However, toddlers with autistic traits more commonly exhibited bedtime resistance, abnormality in circadian rhythm, and sleepiness outside of naptime than toddlers without autistic traits. Moreover, autistic traits were significantly associated with daytime sleepiness. Autistic traits are associated with sleep problems in toddlers. In particular, daytime sleepiness might be avisible symptom that enables the earlier detection of ASD in children.

中文翻译：

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自闭症特征与幼儿睡眠习惯/问题之间的关联

摘要 睡眠障碍是最常与自闭症谱系障碍 (ASD) 相关的共病。睡眠问题可能先于 ASD 的行为结果并使其恶化。这项研究检查了幼儿的睡眠习惯/问题与自闭症特征之间的关联。18 个月大的幼儿（N = 426；男孩/女孩，204/222）使用日语版的幼儿自闭症改良检查表评估自闭症特征，并使用儿童和青少年健康期间的睡眠检查表评估睡眠习惯/问题检查。自闭症幼儿 (n=26) 和非自闭症幼儿 (n=400) 在睡眠习惯上没有显着差异，包括总睡眠时间、醒来时间、就寝时间和小睡。然而，具有自闭症特征的幼儿更常表现出睡前抵抗、昼夜节律异常、和没有自闭症特征的幼儿相比，午睡时间之外的嗜睡。此外，自闭症特征与白天嗜睡显着相关。自闭症特征与幼儿的睡眠问题有关。特别是，白天嗜睡可能是一种明显的症状，可以更早地发现儿童的 ASD。