Solutions for Children with Autism and Sleep Issues.

Updated on February 05, 2013
C.S. asks from Midland, TX
5 answers

Hey moms! Thanks in advance for taking the time to read my question.

Do any of you have any useful tips for helping a child with Autism get a good nights sleep? Any tips, tricks, or meds suggestions? Thank you!

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More Answers

C.V.

answers from Columbia on

My ex's son has Asperger's. When I came on the scene, he was allowed to have the radio on all night, could have his curtains open, door open with bathroom light on, nightlight, and toys, books, and flashlights in bed. Had about 5 different pillows and 4 blankets. His own heater set on 75'F.
The kid was basically staying up all night because nobody knew what he needed. All of the things he had were thrown at him in hope that SOMETHING would work.

I started paying attention to how he slept when he was actually sleeping.

When he actually slept, it was: One blanket. One pillow. Fitted sheet, no top-sheet. No light (he would burrow under the blanket to escape the light). Heater off (house temp set to 67'F).

I took the radio. He was listening to the weather reports in the middle of the night and completely paranoid every time a storm approached.

I closed and shut off all things light emitting, and removed everything from his bed except the one blanket and pillow, and removed the extra heater from his room. Bedtime routines were consistent every single night, even weekends.

And, lastly...I always tucked him in nice and tight. Almost like a burrito. He loved that.

He hated losing all the things that entertained him...but after about 3 days of hearing his arguments before he fell asleep, the arguments stopped. He started sleeping soundly.

It's really a matter of detective work. Figuring out what already works for him and what doesn't.

A few other things:

Make sure he has any stimulant meds early enough so they're worn off by dinnertime, so he eats properly and can sleep. A hungry, overstimmed kiddo won't sleep.

A snack might be required an hour or so before bed. Be sure it's something that won't get him wired up.

Best,
C. Lee

2 moms found this helpful

E.S.

answers from Asheville on

My best friends son is on the spectrum. (Asbergers-high functioning) About 30 minutes before bed time he gets a dose of melatonin. He has started sleeping so much better that I tried it with my girls and it's wonderful! T takes hers on her own (liquid dropper), but B prefers hers in a drink before bed.
They seem to sleep better with less tossing and turning and B has had fewer nightmares these last two weeks!

1 mom found this helpful
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C.R.

answers from Dallas on

Weighted blanket. Changed our nights 100%.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.G.

answers from Seattle on

My son who is 6 years old has melatonin at night. My son takes 3mg and when he was younger weighted blankets were great. Now that he is older he makes himself be under 3-4 typical blankets a night but doesn't like the weighted blanket any longer. We've also found that in our son's case no matter how much we tire him out he will fight sleep and will be up for days literally. We found this out when trying to get him off of the melatonin. Needless to say we don't go a night without his medication. My son doesn't need lights turned off or noise levels dropped but of course as we all know ever kid is different. Try whatever you can out as you never know what will work.

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

My son takes clonidine, one of his friends takes melatonin. Not sure if I spelled them right. I would try the natural melatonin before trying meds. It didn't work for us but it seems to work for others.

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