She just wont go to sleep!!

A common concern for parents of children with autism is that their child is unable to get to sleep or stay asleep for a full nights sleep. This can be very difficult for a family because it affects every other member of the family and their schedules. The following are suggestions I’ve given to families to help them and their child find success at bedtime:

Establish a predictable bedtime routine. Make sure that the child knows what it coming up by providing them with a schedule of what is going to happen. For example: (1) Bath; (2) Pajamas; (3) Story; (4) Bedtime. A 5 minute warning should be given, then a 1 minute warning, then the bedtime routine should begin. This routine should be the same every night so it is predictable.

All stimulating activities should end at least an hour before the bedtime routine starts. This means that the TV and games should go away. This is a great time for some relationship building activities and possibly some deep pressure activities (i.e. arm/leg squeezes, massages). These should be very calm activities to help the child to prepare for relaxing and bedtime.

Many people have found success using a combination of melatonin and GABA supplements a half an hour to an hour before bedtime. These are natural supplements which are both neurochemicals that induce sleep and help the child stay asleep. Melatonin is metabolized into serotonin which many think may be imbalanced in people with autism.

A white noise machine has been successful for many families. White noise can be useful because it helps drown out all other noise and sensory information. For people with sensory processing differences it can be hard to filter out extraneous information, and white noise CDs and machines can help by drowning out all other sounds so the person can focus on one set of sounds.

When it is time for the child to actually go to sleep, they should be kissed good night and left in their rooms. If they get out of bed, they should be told one time that it’s time for bed and placed back in bed. If they continue to get out of bed again, there should be no more talking, interaction or eye contact; they should be walked back to their bed and calmly placed in bed. If this is the first time establishing the bedtime routine it may take a LONG time for the child to finally get to sleep and many times there will be an extinction burst (more behaviors and more intense) which is the child’s attempt to get their routine back. It is important to stick to it, because it will pay off in the long run.

It is important to remember that routine is key. Calming activities are important. And sometimes supplements are necessary to help regulate the bodies sleep chemicals. The most important thing to remember is to not give up. Your child will thank you and you will thank yourself in the long run.

Good Luck, and Good Sleep!!