The Problem Is Not the Problem: Addressing the Root Causes of Sleep Issues
When families come to us with concerns about their learner’s sleep, the symptoms they describe often sound like a behavior checklist:
“They won’t stay in bed.”
“It takes them two hours to fall asleep.”
“They refuse to go to sleep.”
“They come out of bed six times a night.”
These are legitimate concerns that disrupt daily life and exhaust families. But here’s where we, as BCBAs, often miss the mark: we treat the symptom without digging deeper into the underlying issue. We craft programs like token systems, ignoring and redirecting, or repeatedly walking the learner back to bed—without ever stopping to assess why sleep has lost its reinforcing value in the first place.
The Problem Isn’t Always What It Seems
In The Sleep Collective, one of my favorite sayings is “the problem is not the problem.” When we look only at bedtime behaviors through a traditional functional lens, we can identify plausible functions like escape or attention. But even if these functions are accurate, the solution often lies far beyond the function itself.
What if the real issue isn’t bedtime behavior at all, but rather an environment or routine that’s sabotaging the reinforcing value of sleep? Here are just a few common culprits:
Screen time before bed delaying sleep onset and manipulating the reinforcing value of sleep.
Up and down vestibular motion (like bouncing or jumping) too close to bedtime, which alerts rather than calms.
Bedtimes that are too early for the learner’s age and waking window.
Inconsistent morning wake times that confuse the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.
Daytime naps beyond the age or duration they are developmentally appropriate.
If we start by assessing these setting events and making small, intentional changes, the reported “problem behaviors” often disappear entirely—without ever needing a token system or elaborate behavior plan.
Why This Approach Works
When we address the underlying setting events impacting sleep, we:
Reduce response effort for families: Caregivers find it easier to implement environmental or routine changes than to adhere to rigid behavior protocols, especially late at night.
Minimize behavioral escalations: Learners are less likely to push back against changes that don’t feel punitive or challenging.
Achieve more sustainable results: Families learn to identify and resolve the root causes of sleep disruptions, creating lasting improvements in sleep quality.
By shifting our focus from treating symptoms to restoring the reinforcing value of sleep, we not only solve the immediate problem but also empower families with tools they can use long-term.
The Sleep Collective: Elevating Your Practice
Want to deepen your skills in treating sleep problems? The Sleep Collective certification equips BCBAs with the knowledge and tools to assess and address sleep issues effectively. You’ll learn to:
Assess sleep-specific behaviors and identify the core problems affecting sleep.
Develop individualized sleep plans informed by both ABA principles and sleep science.
Provide caregiver education and support that ensures sustainability and independence.
If you’re ready to move beyond token systems and redirections—and start creating real, lasting change for the families you support—consider joining The Sleep Collective.
Let’s shift the focus from symptoms to solutions. The problem is not the problem—it’s the opportunity for transformation.
