A Systematic Review of the Association Between Screen-Based Media Device Use and Sleep Outcomes in Autistic Children and Adolescents

It is established that increases in the time spent by children and young people (CYP) on screen-based electronic devices is associated with poorer sleep outcomes. This systematic review provides an up-to-date synthesis of the association between screen use and sleep for autistic children up to 18 years of age. A paucity of studies identified, an assumption of causal influence, and a lack of consistency and quality in the measures used, all contributed to the insufficiency in evidence for a link between screen use and sleep for autistic CYP. Considerations for future research to elucidate whether a causal relationship exists between screen use and sleep for autistic CYP, and the potential direction of this relationship, are discussed.