I recently asked our autism community for advice for parents with autistic children who are having sleeping troubles. Here’s what they had to say…
- Mine is, “Talk to your child’s pediatrician about getting a recommendation for a sleep specialist. They can help if your child may be sleepwalking, body clock challenges, and potential breathing challenges. Also, lavender in addition to no fluids 1 hour before bedtime” I produced a webinar on this topic that you can watch here: http://kerrymagro.com/…/master-class-when-someone-says…/
- Michele reminded parents to “do what the child tells you brings them comfort. Trying to force your idea of comfort only makes them more uncomfortable.”
- Karen shares that “sensory help such as a weighted blanket or a diffuser with a pleasant smell that calms them” can be really helpful in getting your child to go to sleep and stay asleep.
- Comfort in autism revolves around having a consistent schedule, which doesn’t change when it comes to bedtime. Keeping your child on a consistent nighttime routine could be key to helping them fall asleep.
- Allison said that “coming from a high functioning autistic adult & someone with chronic pain I wouldn’t sleep as a child, but it was actually due to being in severe pain all my life from another condition I was diagnosed with two years ago. Now that I have adequate pain relief for nighttime I sleep much better than I ever did before. I’d say to make sure that the child isn’t dealing with any pain that could also be helping to keep them awake from other conditions”
- Kristy opens up about medication. She shares “don’t be afraid to talk to their doctor. My desire to not medicate was superseded by my desire for my child to be well-rested. The difference is life-changing.”
- Kali suggests to “see if the room temperature is an issue. I know for me my room needs to be cold. Type of bedding, pillow, how many blankets they need. For me, all these play a factor in the sleep I have even when I was little it was a challenge. Darkness in their room. Sound/music.”
- Cathy adds another sensory idea “another idea is to have a CD player in their room and put on music they like and is calming. We do that with our son and it goes very well.”
- Melissa implores parents to “explore the circadian rhythm. I read “The Happy Sleeper”, it’s a guide and routine is important to develop what our primal needs are. It provides strategies, it helped me develop routine and it’s for every age. We started late but there are some useful pieces in there.”
- Laurie shared that her family uses “melatonin (at least an hour before I want him to go to bed) and we shut down all tech or stimulation at least two hours before”
What would be your advice? Tell us in the comments! You can read all the pieces of advice below…
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My name is Kerry Magro, a professional speaker and best-selling author who is also on the autism spectrum that started the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference in 2011 to help students with autism receive scholarship aid to pursue a post-secondary education. Help support me so I can continue to help students with autism go to college by making a tax-deductible donation to our nonprofit here.
