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Original poster

Getting autistic child to sleep

56 replies

unlikelychump · 28/06/2023 06:44

This hot weather has wrecked sleep for my 7yo with suspected autism and he now can't get to sleep before 10pm and that is with a story going in his headphones. I want to improve this situation because he is clearly shattered and I am not fond of the sleep crutch

Can anyone give me some advice to try to get him off earlier in the evening. He used to be asleep 2030, but is now out of control. He can't settle his body.

OP posts:
SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 28/06/2023 06:47

The only thing that we've had any success with is Piriton whilst we were waiting for Melatonin to be prescribed.

You might want to ask @MNHQ to move this over to the SN Children board as you'll get a lot of MNers giving advice that works for NT DC and you know already that none of that stuff works for a ND DC as you've tried them all already Flowers

Original poster
unlikelychump · 28/06/2023 06:49

Piriton sends him loopy, always has since he was a baby.

I'm not totally set on wanting just send advice, which is why I put it here but mentioned autism.

OP posts:
Taptap2 · 28/06/2023 06:55

Maybe tiring him out more -walk after dinner?

what is he doing before going to bed - if it’s gaming/going on a tablet that can be very stimulating particularly if autistic

crutch of story on headphones is better than drugs. I really don’t think it’s that bad as a sleep aid. If you have n autistic child you sometimes have to go with what works for your child.

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Theunamedcat · 28/06/2023 06:56

You can buy melatonin from America

Use the sleep crutch earlier

Winnerturkeydinner · 28/06/2023 06:57

A mobile AC unit?

brooksghost · 28/06/2023 06:59

Melatonin
You can get it prescribed from the GP. Mine (both Autistic) don't like the taste of the prescription so I buy melatonin gummies from the US.
Life saver.

Heddaga · 28/06/2023 07:23

classical music. Soft piano music works the best.

Probationnotontarget · 28/06/2023 07:25

Have you brought a cool pad? It’s like a gel under the sheets to cool him down?

Probationnotontarget · 28/06/2023 07:26

£15 on eBay.

birdling · 28/06/2023 07:27

We found that l-theanine helped and, weirdly, coffee. Calming effect on some ND children.

birdling · 28/06/2023 07:28

Sorry, should have added: l-theanine is an extract from green tea. Available on Amazon.

MadamNoo · 28/06/2023 07:28

You can buy melatonin online for jet lag. Therapist actually recommended we did that before we got a prescription, or I would pick up on a trip. 2 or 3mg is a low dose to start with.

Onehappymam · 28/06/2023 07:29

I read that half an hour of sunlight before 9am helps.

Not tried it yet. Two of my kids are neuro-diverse. Currently they are still prowling about after 11pm!

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 28/06/2023 07:43

I read that half an hour of sunlight before 9am helps

There is some research quoted on Kellymom about the positive affect of sunlight on sleep. The 7am thing is ok at this time of year but not so achievable in the Winter in the UK Grin

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 28/06/2023 07:44

unlikelychump · 28/06/2023 06:49

Piriton sends him loopy, always has since he was a baby.

I'm not totally set on wanting just send advice, which is why I put it here but mentioned autism.

Shame about the Piriton.

FruitTartlet · 28/06/2023 07:53

My only tip which worked for a friend is just to bring everything forward by an hour. Build in more time before sleep has to happen so you can afford it taking longer. This isn’t practical in a lot of families but it worked for her. Fixed early start getting up time.

WhamBamThankU · 28/06/2023 08:34

My autistic child likes to listen to 'sleepy music'. If you type that into Spotify it comes up with loads. Also this recent heat and general weather has massively impacted my child in lots of ways so you can't rule that out. It's completely disregulated them at both home and school. A fan at bedtime is also good because it's sensory as well as the gentle hum.

Sirzy · 28/06/2023 08:37

Ds is autistic so I get the pain! He does have melatonin prescribed which helps but isn’t a miracle cure!

when the weather is like it has been he has a fan on which helps both from a cooling the air and a white noise pov.

we have to keep bedtime routine very short but the same for it to work for him. Extended routines don’t work in his case.

MyFridgeIsRed · 28/06/2023 08:50

I have two asd boys, I've found what works the best for them (and I'm sure you already do all this) is a routine that doesn't change no matter what. My oldest ds is 8, he also struggles massively with sleep, for him he needs an hour in bed with his tablet before sleep, so for example he is in his bedroom at 7pm, he gets one hour on his tablet, at 8pm me or dad will take the tablet to our room, then he is allowed to read for an additional 30 minutes. If he still isn't asleep but is quiet and resting we leave him, if he isn't we will remind him that he has had his "tablet time" and now it's time for sleep, but ultimately he must stay in his bed. We have had nights where he hasn't calmed down, but we've been consistent and fairly strict, and it's no longer a problem.
Same with my youngest ds 3, we do teeth, nappy, gruffalo, drink, bed. There is no compromising, we had months of hell during the 2yo sleep regression, but we were consistent about bed time and not tolerating any misbehaving and now he sleeps great.
I am also autistic, and I can not sleep without something being played into my ears, whether it's an audio book, movie or YouTube. I have been like this since I was around 12. It's not great because I genuinely can't sleep without noise, but has to be the correct noise. If I ever forget my headphones when I'm away it means buying more.
I agree with pp about bringing bed time forward, we found the longer routine with my 8yo is definitely what worked easiest and quickest, it gives him time to settle himself and calm down before actually needing to be asleep. I'm not thrilled that it is a tablet that provides this, an audio book or just reading/drawing would be my preference, but it is what it is.
Instead of headphones for you ds would he settle with a speaker playing the audio book? I know for myself this wouldn't work, but it might be an easier transition at his age.

minipie · 28/06/2023 08:58

DD struggles to sleep without the weight of a duvet but it’s too hot for a duvet. I have got her a weighted pad which she lays on her side, seems to help without being as hot.

Also my DC both have a freezer block in a pillowcase in their bed. One cuddles it like a teddy. Really helps them stay cool.

Having said all that I wouldn’t be shy of melatonin (buy from US online). We used it for about 6 months for DD a few years ago - probably a little younger than your DS - and it really helped. It doesn’t have to be forever, just to break a vicious cycle of overtiredness = can’t sleep.

I would also consider naps if you think he’s got overtired, does he fall asleep in the car if you go on a journey? At age 5/6 we still sometimes did this at the weekend as a nap in the middle of the day would make bedtime better.

Original poster
unlikelychump · 28/06/2023 16:56

Some really interesting answers thanks! I'm not sure I want melatonin as that is only another sleep crutch really isn't it. A fan is similar but feels like a possibility.

The early light is interesting as he has taken to keeping his blind down in the morning, also the evening walk is a good idea too.

I think I will start there, also with nailing down the routine even more.

OP posts:
Theunamedcat · 28/06/2023 18:28

What's wrong with using a crutch? If you broke your leg would you hop around or would you use a crutch?

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 28/06/2023 18:43

Theunamedcat · 28/06/2023 18:28

What's wrong with using a crutch? If you broke your leg would you hop around or would you use a crutch?

That's what I was thinking too. DD very likely has ASD, we're eating fir the final diagnosis.

We've tried everything, literally everything and Melatonin has transformed our lives.

minipie · 28/06/2023 18:45

The thing with melatonin is that you have to take a break from it every so often or it stops working (at least that’s what I have been told). So if you are worried about it becoming a crutch, there will be regular breaks from it anyway, so you can see if it’s still needed and decide accordingly. For us it was useful for a few months and then not needed any more. But having it for those few months helped so much.

tealandteal · 28/06/2023 18:53

Mine is nearly 6 but we put an audiobook on Alexa and switch to soft music at a set time. If he falls asleep listen to the book then I switch the music on. I don’t see a problem with it?

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