Moms,
This question is not for me, but for a good friend. Her daughter like my son has been diagnosed with autism, and she, like my son, has problems getting her to sleep at night, however unlike my son, she just WON'T SLEEP she wakes up every 1or 2 hours, and cries, and cries for a long time. They have tried melatonin and benedryl to help her sleep but it just doesn't work!. We don't know what else to do or how to help her, we have tried everything!! Massages, bedtime routines, medication, rearranging furniture, changing her diet... needless to say she doesnt nap during the day.
Have any of you experienced this with your child, what worked? Please moms, we need all the help we can get. Good Luck!!!
I have not experienced this and don't have direct experience with autistic kids, but have you ever heard about those weighted blankets? They are, apparently, very calming to kids with autism and SPD. You might google it. Good luck.
What about a sound/white noise machine? Sometimes it helps to have a "signal" of sleep---certain music or sound, a special blanket, etc, so that it becomes a habit to sleep with that condition. Something soothing and constant.
I just read someone wrote about a weighted blanked---that is an excellent suggestion. There is something called proprioceptive (spelling??) stimulation---it's about how we (especially autistics) feel calmer and more relaxed from physical pressure. (For most of us, a hug/squeeze is helpful, but for autistic folks, some other way to get the pressure is more comfortable)
sometimes it is the matress and chemicals from the carpet. It could be the fragrance in her night clothe. However, Doris Rapp, "Is this your child", helps you to see if this could be a trigger to wake up every 1 or 2 hours.
Also the book, "Healthy child healthy healty world", could be a source to find out what causes her the issue.
Julie, every pediatrician I have ever heard of has recommended giving benadryl or melatonin to help a child sleep. They are not gonna get a visit from CPS for that.
has she tried a weighted blanket? did not work for us but my son has other issues, and is not officially on the spectrum just has a lot of simmiarities. Often times the OT (occupational therepist) has one you can try out before spending the funds.
I also have a son with autism with the same problems and we tried everything too. For a long time he had melatoniin but when the dose needed to get him to sleep got to 5mg a night it was time to find something else. He now takes a small dose of Clonidine. He goes to sleep in about half an hour and wakes up refreshed in the morning. No drowsiness or down side. He is more able to focus at school. We tried all the conservative things as we did not like the idea of drugs either, but he needs sleep. I need sleep. Everyone is doing much better. He still has autism but is happier and more relaxed. He is also on a low dose of Prozac and has way less anxiety. We cannot always cure their ills but we can make them more comfortable in their skin. Aparently Prozac helps with eating problems too. I hope this helps. I struggle with the autism every day, but my son is so beautiful I never want him to see the would as a bad place.
Hi,
Gosh what a tough situation!
I am an occupational therapist, a parent educator and a meridian based energetic healer. Before giving suggestions, I would have more questions such as has the child ever had any trauma at night or while lying down (stitches, etc.), how long has this been going on, etc.
Here are some resources I would suggest to get you started.
Emotional Freedom Techniques:
http://74.6.238.254/search/srpcache?ei=UTF-8&p=eft+ne...
Quantum Techniques:
http://quantumtechniques.com/
There are also other resources I would suggest if the family lives near Austin.
Feel free to contact me directly.
Blessings,
K.
Kimberly Smith Cavins, OTR, CPE, EFT-Cert
"From the Heart" Family Healing
Helping people with:
~Parenting or Family Struggles
~Emotional Issues or Unhealed Trauma
Who need Peace, Love, and Connection
____@____.com
Is she on any kind of medication that keeps her awake? never medicate a child to make them sleep, and never post that for all to read, it only takes one person to report that. You didn't mention her age, sorry to hear your friend is going through this. I would get advice from the child's doctor, she may be having some kind of pain that she doesn't know how to tell her mom. Give your friend my love and prayers. J.
