CONSUMER OPINION CONCERNING THE TREATMENT OF A COMMON SLEEP PROBLEM

In an uncontrolled, open, pilot study, 15 severely learning disabled c hildren suffering from severe and lifelong night-settling and night-wa king (NS/NW) problems were treated with a brief behavioural modificati on approach based upon the behavioural therapy principles of rapid ext inction, cueing and stimulus control. Following the treatment positive changes in these problems occured quickly (within a few days) and the se were sustained at both the 4- and 18-month follow-up stages in the majority of the children. Despite the misgivings of previous commentat ors concerning rapid extinction techniques, the children's parents fou nd this treatment approach to be safe, helpful and acceptable. This st udy explores their views about this form of treatment and also about p revious help they had received.