Sarah M. Honaker, PhD

Bio

Sarah Honaker, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine, and the director of Behavioral Sleep Medicine at Riley Children’s Hospital. A clinical psychologist with board certification in behavioral sleep medicine, she provides treatment for children with insomnia, circadian rhythm disruption, and other sleep disorders. Dr. Honaker also directs the Healthy Sleep for Kids research laboratory and conducts research on sleep in children and adolescents. Her research has been funded by organizations such as the National Institute of Health and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation, and she has more than twenty-five publications on pediatric sleep. Sarah lives in Indianapolis with her husband Graham and daughters Kate and Bella.

Key Publications

Honaker, S. M., & Meltzer, L. J. (2016). Sleep in pediatric primary care: A review of the literature. Sleep medicine reviews, 25, 31-39.

Schwichtenberg, A. J., Abel, E. A., Keys, E., & Honaker, S. M. (2019). Diversity in pediatric behavioral sleep intervention studies. Sleep medicine reviews, 47, 103-111.

Honaker, S. M., & Saunders, T. (2018). The Sleep Checkup: Sleep screening, guidance, and management in pediatric primary care. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology, 6(3), 201-210.

Honaker, S. M., Schwichtenberg, A. J., Kreps, T. A., & Mindell, J. A. (2018). Real-World implementation of infant behavioral sleep interventions: results of a parental survey. The Journal of pediatrics, 199, 106-111.

Honaker, S. M., Dugan, T., Daftary, A., Davis, S., Saha, C., Baye, F., ... & Downs, S. M. (2018). Unexplained practice variation in primary care providers' concern for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea. Academic pediatrics, 18(4), 418-424.

Honaker, S. M., Street, A., Daftary, A. S., & Downs, S. M. (2019). The use of computer decision support for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea detection in primary care. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 15(3), 453-462.

Honaker, S. M., Meltzer, L. J., & Mindell, J. A. (2017). Pediatric Sleep. Handbook of Pediatric Psychology, 452.

Titles & Appointments

Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Associate Professor of Psychiatry

Education

2008 FEL Postdoctoral Fellow, Pediatric Behavioral Sleep Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine

2007 PhD University of South Carolina

2004 MA University of South Carolina

1998 BA Grinnell College
Research

Dr. Honaker's research examines the development and implementation of strategies to promote evidence-based care for children’s sleep disorders. Specifically, she has examined the use of computer decision support systems in primary care to: 1) facilitate identification and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and infant night wakings; and 2) promote sleep health in children. Other research endeavors include strategies to engage underserved families, community-based intervention in childcare settings to identify children with OSA, and behavioral sleep intervention for young children. Her research has been funded by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation, Indiana Health, and the Indiana CTSI, and she currently holds a career development award from the National Heart Blood and Lung Institute to study pediatric OSA. She has more than fifteen peer-reviewed publications on pediatric sleep, co-chairs the Pediatric Behavioral Sleep Research Network, and received an Early Career Distinguished Achievement award from the Society for Behavioral Sleep Medicine.
Publications

Sibling sleep-What can it tell us about parental sleep reports in the context of autism?
Schwichtenberg AJ; Hensle T; Honaker S; Miller M; Ozonoff S; Anders T; Clinical practice in pediatric psychology 2016 Jun

Implementation of Sleep and Circadian Science: Recommendations from the Sleep Research Society and National Institutes of Health Workshop.
Parthasarathy S; Carskadon MA; Jean-Louis G; Owens J; Bramoweth A; Combs D; Hale L; Harrison E; Hart CN; Hasler BP; Honaker SM; Hertenstein E; Kuna S; Kushida C; Levenson JC; Murray C; Pack AI; Pillai V; Pruiksma K; Seixas A; Strollo P; Thosar SS; Williams N; Buysse D; Sleep 2016 Dec 1

Topical Review: Building Competency: Professional Skills for Pediatric Psychologists in Integrated Primary Care Settings.
Hoffses KW; Ramirez LY; Berdan L; Tunick R; Honaker SM; Meadows TJ; Shaffer L; Robins PM; Sturm L; Stancin T; Journal of pediatric psychology 2016 Aug 26

Sleep in pediatric primary care: A review of the literature.
Honaker SM; Meltzer LJ; Sleep medicine reviews 2015 Jan 24

Stakeholder perspectives on barriers for healthy living for low-income african american families.
Jones VF; Rowland ML; Young L; Atwood K; Thompson K; Sterrett E; Honaker SM; Williams JE; Johnson K; Davis DW; Frontiers in pediatrics 2014 Dec 4

Bedtime problems and night wakings in young children: an update of the evidence.
Honaker SM; Meltzer LJ; Paediatric respiratory reviews 2014 Apr 13

Identification and management of behavioral/mental health problems in primary care pediatrics: perceived strengths, challenges, and new delivery models.
Davis DW; Honaker SM; Jones VF; Williams PG; Stocker F; Martin E; Clinical pediatrics 2012 Apr 18

Sleep-disordered breathing and verbal skills in school-aged community children.
Honaker SM; Gozal D; Bennett J; Capdevila OS; Spruyt K; Developmental neuropsychology 2009
Professional Organizations

American Academy of Sleep Medicine

American Psychological Association

Indiana Psychological Association

Sleep Research Society

Society for Behavioral Sleep Medicine
Board Certifications

American Board of Pediatrics - Sleep Medicine
Clinical Interests

Sarah Honaker PhD is a clinical psychologist with specialty training and board certification in behavioral sleep medicine. She treats and studies children ages 0-18 years with pediatric sleep difficulties, including insomnia, circadian rhythm sleep disorders, hypersomnia, parasomnia, and nightmares. Many children with sleep complaints also have other neurodevelopmental, psychological, or medical conditions, yet will still respond well to behavioral sleep intervention. Dr. Honaker tailors evidence-based treatment approaches to a specific child and family’s needs and goals. Treatment is usually brief (2-6 sessions) and focused on psychological or behavioral contributors to disrupted sleep. Dr. Honaker is the Director of Behavioral Sleep Medicine at Riley Children’s Hospital at IU Health.

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