2/13 Sleep Disruption in Neurodivergent People Part 1

Neurodivergent people (including those with ADHD, autism, dysautonomia, PTSD, migraine, and chronic illness) experience sleep disruption at much higher rates than the general population. But it’s not just bad habits — it’s neurobiology.

This week, DNA is revisiting one of our most requested topics: how the neurodivergent brain experiences sleep differently — and what science says about why. Like last year we will split this talk across two days.

We’ll discuss:

• The neurobiology of sleep and arousal — how the hypothalamus, brainstem, and autonomic nervous system interact to “switch off” the brain

• Dysregulated circadian rhythms in neurodivergent populations (melatonin secretion delays, “night owl” wiring, and why blue light hits harder)

• Hyperarousal and sensory overstimulation — why silence or stillness can actually feel unsafe to the neurodivergent nervous system

• Co-existing medical factors: pain, POTS, mast cell activation, and cortisol spikes

• Why conventional advice (“no screens, meditate”) often fails, and what actually helps

• Evidence-based interventions: behavioral pacing, light therapy, magnesium glycinate, body-temperature regulation, and CBT-I for neurodivergent brains

Grounded in research:

• Wajszilber et al. (2018) Sleep in ADHD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis – Sleep Medicine Reviews

• Baker et al. (2019) Circadian rhythm and insomnia in autism spectrum disorder – Biological Psychiatry

• Mathias & Low (2018) Autonomic dysfunction in chronic illness and sleep disruption – Clinical Autonomic Research

• Horne (2022) Cortisol awakening response and neurodivergent stress patterns – Neurobiology of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms