I have twins, both autistic, no understanding of words, non verbal. They are absolute experts at depriving me of sleep, however. We have a video monitor and watch them constantly until they’re asleep - they’re still in cots currently as it would be dangerous for them to be awake and free to climb etc when we are asleep (before the inevitable noise wakes us up). They like to be awake for at least two hours in the middle of the night for no apparent reason, and generally it takes 2.5 hours for them to go to sleep anyway.
They are particular fans of removing their sheets and mattress protectors (which is a problem as DT2 has a medical issue that means he drinks up to 3L per day and soaks through despite at least 3 changes overnight).
Anyway, tonight he has discovered he can lift up his mattress, stand it on its end and then jump up and down on the slats (which makes an unbearable noise). I am not exaggerating when I say I’ve been in to replace the mattress 25+ times in the last 2.5 hours. I’m exhausted. He’s exhausted.
I can’t tell him not to do it - well, I am telling him not to do it, but he doesn’t understand. I can’t strap the mattress down with something because if he got that loose it would be dangerous.
Aside from spending 3 hours a night returning the mattress every 5 minutes, does anyone have any suggestions? I’d love to say the novelty will wear off, but that’s not how he works!
I can’t just bring him in with me as neither of them will ever lie down in our bed, let alone sleep.