Autism and sleep
With over 20 years of experience in the childcare industry, including professional nannying, Montessori teaching, and learning support for special needs children, one would think I've seen it all.
And perhaps I have seen it all, but as our lifestyles have drastically changed in the last 20 years, our needs and habits have naturally changed. Parents, more than ever, need support and guidance to raise their children in this fast-paced world. It's not easy to be a parent in the present world, and it's incredibly challenging to be a sleep-deprived parent whose child has autism.
Autism and sleep are closely connected, but not many people discuss them. It's something I've been working on for some time now. I want parents to know that there are professionals out there who can help.
Having dealt with autistic children in every position I've held, I can confirm that they are amazing little people who want to be part of this world, but they don't always know how to approach it.
Every single experience working with autistic children has been unique and rewarding, and each one has taught me something new and special.
This piece is for them because they need us to understand them, to give them compassion and love, and to give them the opportunity to become independent individuals as much as they are capable of. As we all know, many children these days have problems with sleep. For autistic children, sleeping can be particularly difficult. Did you know that 80% of children with autism suffer from one or more sleep issues?
These sleep issues can result in behavioral challenges such as hyperactivity, inattentiveness, and aggression. Better sleep will not cure autism, but children with autism who get back on their sleeping schedule seem to learn better, are less irritable, and have fewer problem behaviors. Children with autism often struggle to communicate their needs and wants, and lack of sleep can make them even more frustrated.
Fortunately, there are ways to improve children's sleep.
Motivated parents of autistic children can successfully implement and establish a sleep routine and improve sleep periods. Communication with a child plays a big part in this process. They have to know what is expected from them. Then, break the expectation into many little steps that will be easy for them to follow.
Establishing a consistent bedtime routine will help massively. Autistic children thrive on routine as they know what comes next. Start with a warm bath, change into pajamas, brush teeth, give a calming massage for sensory input, read a story, and then bedtime.
Most autistic children are very visual, so visual routines will help them to break tasks into many steps. The bedtime routine should be predictable, short, calming, and relaxing.
A child's bedroom should be dark, cool, and quiet. Autistic children are very sensitive to noise and can often have sensory issues, so please adapt the bedroom environment accordingly. The textures of the bedding and pajamas should be sensory-preferred and snuggly soft.
Bedtime and waking time should be the same every day, weekdays and weekends are alike. Night wakings are a normal part of the sleep cycle, but if you want your child to go back to sleep, you must ensure their sleep environment is as it was when they first fell asleep.
Take a closer look at what your child is eating. Foods that contain magnesium, calcium, tryptophan, and vitamin B6 may be helpful additions to your child's dinner time meal.
Changes in behavior, speech, and sleep of autistic children can be associated with compromised gut health. One thing that seems to work for most of my clients is the use of Himalayan salt lamps. They make great night lights with a soft warm glow and release negative ions into the air. These negative ions can help reduce anxious feelings and promote a peaceful environment for sleep. The lamp also purifies the air, calms the mood, and increases focus.
Another helpful tool is weighted blankets, which do not increase sleep time, but the deep pressure provided can help soothe your child.
Dear parents, it is not easy to have an autistic child who is not sleeping. You may already be facing enough struggles and challenges during the day. Sleep deprivation can send your stress hormones skyrocketing and impair your ability to think clearly and regulate your emotions. Whether we like it or not, our children will model and respond to what we do. Your energy will become their energy, so please try to wake up to that. Gently guide your child, as consistency is truly the key to success. Remember, small steps can make a big difference, so celebrate them all.
