Emerging Topic in Sleep Management and Therapy in Children and Adolescents with Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Dear Colleagues,

Sleep plays a vital role in brain development, cognitive functioning, and emotional regulation. Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and intellectual disabilities often exhibit significant sleep disturbances. Research over the past few decades has emphasized the bidirectional relationship between sleep and neurodevelopment, demonstrating that sleep disruptions can worsen cognitive and behavioral symptoms in individuals with NDDs. Despite increased awareness, there remain significant gaps in understanding the underlying mechanisms, assessment methodologies, and effective interventions.

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive platform for the latest advancements in sleep research within the context of neurodevelopmental disorders. We seek to highlight novel insights into the mechanisms linking sleep disturbances and neurodevelopment, emerging diagnostic and monitoring techniques, and innovative intervention strategies. By gathering contributions from various disciplines—including neuroscience, psychology, genetics, and clinical sciences—we hope to foster interdisciplinary discussions and pave the way for future research directions and therapeutic approaches.

This Special Issue will focus on state-of-the-art findings in the following areas of research:

• Neurophysiological and genetic mechanisms underlying sleep disturbances in NDDs.
• The impact of sleep disruptions on cognitive, emotional, and social functioning.
• Novel methodologies for assessing sleep patterns in individuals with NDDs.
• Technological advancements in sleep monitoring, including wearable and home-based sleep-tracking devices.
• The role of circadian rhythms and sleep architecture in neurodevelopmental outcomes.
• Innovative therapeutic interventions, including behavioral, pharmacological, and neuromodulatory approaches.

We welcome original research articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, short communications, and clinical case studies that enhance our understanding of sleep in neurodevelopmental disorders. We particularly encourage submissions that introduce novel methodologies, longitudinal studies, and interdisciplinary approaches. Contributions from both basic and applied research perspectives will be considered to provide a holistic view of this critical topic.

• Sleep and neurodevelopmental disorders;
• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and sleep;
• ADHD and sleep disturbances;
• Sleep architecture and cognition;
• Circadian rhythms in neurodevelopment;
• Pediatric sleep disorders;
• Sleep interventions in NDDs;
• Neurophysiology of sleep;
• Sleep tracking and monitoring technologies;
• Behavioral and pharmacological treatments for sleep disturbances

We look forward to your valuable contributions to this Special Issue and to advancing our collective understanding of sleep in neurodevelopmental disorders.

Prof. Dr. Marco Carotenuto
Dr. Rimma Gamirova
Prof. Dr. Karen Spruyt
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• sleep disturbances
• neurodevelopmental disorders
• autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and sleep
• ADHD and sleep dysfunction
• circadian rhythm dysregulation
• sleep architecture in NDDs
• melatonin and sleep regulation
• insomnia in neurodevelopmental disorders
• polysomnography and sleep assessment
• behavioral sleep interventions