11/13 Neurodivergence and Sleep Day 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 why sleep can be so hard even when you’re “doing everything right.”

Day 1 is the science and mechanisms.

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

Suggested reading:

• 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