Bridging Behavioural and Sleep Science With Four Evidence-Based Connections in Child Sleep
- Brainz Magazine
- Jul 4
- 5 min read
Rahma Farah is widely recognized for her expertise in using behaviour analysis to empower neurodivergent individuals with socially significant skills for a meaningful life. She is the founder of Prospering Minds Consultancy, a service offering dual behaviour and sleep support for children.
Sleep challenges in infants and children are more than just tiring; they can disrupt development, impact learning and mental health, and increase the risk of chronic conditions. For families, the effects are often profound and far-reaching. This highlights the need to deepen our understanding of how we can support healthier sleep from the start.
One powerful approach is to explore the relationship between behaviour and sleep, two domains that are often confused or misattributed to one another. As a practitioner dually certified in sleep and behaviour science, I believe we’re only scratching the surface of what’s possible when these fields work together. Behavioural science, particularly Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), offers practical, evidence-based strategies that can support sleep in meaningful and sustainable ways.
In this article, I’ll explore four essential ways that behaviour and sleep are interconnected and how this relationship can be harnessed to support both children and caregivers.
1. The sleep environment & behaviour
One of the strongest links between behaviour and sleep is the environment. In behavioural science, we recognise that the environment doesn’t just influence how people act; it often sets the stage for whether a behaviour is more likely to occur. This holds especially true when it comes to sleep.
Creating a conducive sleep environment is critical, especially in infancy and early childhood. Global data reinforces this urgency. In the U.S., Carrow et al. (2020) reported over 3,000 sleep-related infant deaths each year. Their study used a behavioural strategy called Behavioural Skills Training (BST) to teach caregivers safer sleep practices, resulting in improved sleep environments. In the UK, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported 2,240 infant sleep-related deaths in 2022.
These statistics underline the need for awareness around environmental sleep factors, including:
Light (especially blue light exposure before bedtime)
Noise levels
Room temperature
Sensory sensitivities
Emotional and relational environment with caregivers
From a behavioural lens, if the environment supports rest, it increases the likelihood that restful sleep behaviours will occur. If it doesn’t, children may resist or struggle to fall asleep, even if they're biologically tired. This overlap between behavioural science and sleep consulting offers a powerful framework to assess and improve sleep settings.
2. Reinforcement drives sleep patterns
One of the most foundational principles in behaviour analysis is reinforcement, which is how consequences shape and sustain behaviour. Sleep behaviours are no exception.
Reinforcement refers to what happens after a behaviour occurs that makes it more likely to happen again in the future. It can be positive (adding something pleasant) or negative (removing something unpleasant). In sleep routines, this could look like:
Positive reinforcement: praise or cuddles after staying in bed
Negative reinforcement: removing a demand (e.g., lights-out delays) when the child cries, unintentionally reinforcing night waking
Ice (2023), in a PhD study, found a functional relationship between reinforcement and increased total sleep time in children. This illustrates how strategic reinforcement can build healthy sleep habits, while unintentional reinforcement (like responding inconsistently to bedtime resistance) can maintain sleep disruptions.
Understanding reinforcement contingencies gives caregivers and professionals a powerful tool for improving sleep without medication, using structured, child-specific behavioural strategies.
3. Behaviour reflects sleep deprivation
Sleep and behaviour share a bidirectional relationship: poor sleep can lead to behavioural issues, and behavioural issues can interfere with sleep. This is particularly apparent in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, where sleep deprivation often coincides with increases in challenging behaviours.
Kennedy (2025) conducted a systematic literature review on this topic, finding that over 70% of reviewed studies showed sleep deprivation was maintained by negative reinforcement—children learned to avoid or delay sleep routines by engaging in disruptive behaviours.
From a neurological standpoint, lack of quality sleep affects critical brain regions like the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and basal ganglia, leading to executive dysfunction and emotional dysregulation (Maski & Kolthare, 2013). In practice, this can manifest as tantrums, aggression, or hyperactivity, especially in children with existing developmental difficulties.
This further highlights the importance of collaborative strategies across disciplines. Behavioural tools can not only improve sleep outcomes but also reduce the secondary effects of sleep deprivation on learning and emotional regulation.
4. Sleep interventions are individualised
Just as no two children have the same behavioural needs, no two sleep plans should look the same. A central value in both behavioural intervention and sleep consulting is personalisation.
When working with families, I begin by exploring whether our values align and whether I can meaningfully support their goals. We typically start with an assessment: a conversation about concerns, a review of the sleep history, and a detailed sleep log. From there, I design an individualised sleep support plan that fits both the child’s behavioural profile and the family’s lifestyle.
My dual certification in sleep science and behaviour analysis allows me to "zoom out" and ask: is this a sleep issue? A behavioural issue? Or both? This often helps to unpick complex sleep challenges, especially in neurodiverse children or those with trauma histories.
A 2013 study led by Greg Hanley used the Sleep Assessment and Treatment Tool, a behaviourally grounded method, to create function-based sleep interventions for children. All participants showed improved sleep, and caregivers reported high satisfaction with the approach (Hanley et al., 2013). This kind of work shows what’s possible when we bring behaviour and sleep together in a thoughtful, child-centred way.
Conclusion
In summary, behaviour and sleep are deeply interconnected, across the environment, reinforcement, behaviour outcomes, and individualisation. Integrating both disciplines creates powerful opportunities to support families and build sustainable routines that work.
Behaviour science has made important contributions across fields like fitness, organisational performance, addiction, and developmental disabilities. It's time we fully embrace sleep science as a critical part of that list.
As a professional with expertise in both infant and child sleep and behaviour support, I’m passionate about helping families decode their child’s needs—whether behavioural, sleep-related, or both. At Prospering Minds Consultancy, I offer collaborative, tailored services that empower families to build healthy, restorative routines.
If you’re navigating sleep struggles or behavioural challenges, you’re not alone, and you’re not without options. Let’s have a chat.
Read more from Rahma Farah
Rahma Farah, Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst
Rahma Farah specialises in behaviour analysis and in empowering neurodivergent individuals. With years of experience, she has developed tailored approaches to help children build socially significant skills and lead fulfilling lives. Passionate about creating meaningful change, Rahma has dedicated her career to supporting families through practical, compassionate, and evidence-based strategies. She is the founder and CEO of Prospering Minds Consultancy, a pioneering service offering dual behaviour and sleep consultancy for children of all needs. Her mission: Every child thriving, every mind prospering.
References:
Cooper, J.O., Heron, T.E. & Heward, W.L., 2020. Applied Behavior Analysis, 3rd Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
Carrow, J.N., Vladescu, J.C., Reeve, S.A., and Kisamore, A.N., 2020. Back to sleep: Teaching adults to arrange safe infant sleep environments. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 53(3). Available here.
Ice, E., 2023. Waking to Reinforcement: Adding to the Behavioral Conceptualization of Sleep. Ph.D. Capella University. Available at: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, Document ID: 30310951.
Kennedy, C.H., 2023. How Does Sleep Deprivation Functionally Impact the Challenging Behavior of People With Intellectual Disabilities? A Systematic Review. Behavior Modification, 49(3). Available here.
Jin, C.S., Hanley, G.P., and Beaulieu, L., 2013. An individualized and comprehensive approach to treating sleep problems in young children. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. Available here.
Maski, K.P. and Kothare, S.V., 2013. Sleep deprivation and neurobehavioral functioning in children. International Journal of Psychophysiology. Available here.
