How would you treat a patient with sleep dysfunction?

"To help with a sleep dysfunction in my patients, it's often most important to find the root cause or causes that are causing the sleeping troubles. If all environmental factors can be ruled out, I then turn to personal matters like stress. Stress and anxiety are huge factors in not getting enough sleep. In a recent patient, I found that school was causing major anxiety for the patient and the issue was a lack of confidence in completing assignments on time. In helping them work through simple time management techniques, the sleeping became much easier for the patient."

As an Occupational Therapist, you may treat patients that suffer from the inability to prepare for sleep, stay asleep, fall asleep within an appropriate amount of time, stay asleep for an acceptable number of hours or even struggle with daytime sleepiness. Tell the interviewer how you treat these patients to help them learn healthy sleep habits and routines.

"I currently work with autistic children suffering from disturbed sleep patterns. I've found that weighted blankets, constant praise, and stickers have helped my patients achieve healthy sleep habits."