Heightened sensory perception in toddlers with autism predicts sleep problems at around age 7, according to a new study. The findings suggest that sensory sensitivities interfere with sleep in children with autism. They also hint that adjusting for these sensitivities – by minimizing background light or noise at bedtime, for example – could ease the children’s sleep difficulties. “If you’re hearing noises or are really bothered by light or touch, it might make it harder for you to fall asleep,” says lead investigator Micah Mazurek, associate professor of human services at the University o...