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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:

MWNA · 17/07/2023 08:34

FriendsDrinkBook · 17/07/2023 07:21

Can I suggest something like a yoto box if he likes stories. We have one and whilst it doesn't solve the sleep problem , it does keep my son calm. It plays continuously and might encourage him to ditch the headphones. You can also control the volume and content from an app on your phone if that helps.

I can vouch for the Yoto. It's fantastic and my 8 and 6 year old have theirs playing gently all night - currently both mad about the Enchanted Wood.
They both take melatonin (prescribed, although my daughter doesn't like the tablets so I buy the gummies online for her) and no screens for the hour leading up to bed - 6 pm for son who is profoundly autistic and at a special school and 8pm for daughter who is not and is at a mainstream school. Both also have adhd.

MWNA · 17/07/2023 08:51

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This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Original poster

unlikelychump · 17/07/2023 18:08

Which gummies are you buying?

Unfortunately he doesn't wake later. I think he must be sleepdeprived as he is so active all the time. I just wonder if his life would be easier if he got more sleep

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

7 year olds Babies & sleep Children's sleep Families

MWNA · 17/07/2023 20:20

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This reply has been hidden until the MNHQ team can have a look at it.

MWNA · 17/07/2023 20:24

Looks like the same thing has happened to my post again - Mumsnet has auto blocked my message as it has the word "g*mmies" (asterisk to fool the censor). That's what Mumsnet email said to me earlier anyway.

I buy from Biovea. 10mg. I quarter them. I tried to post a link but that was blocked.🚫

Namechangeasd · 17/07/2023 20:26

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.

DH has ASD. He’s not slept well since he was a teenager. He has to take antihistamine or melatonin. I wouldn’t worry about using a sleep crutch. He might always need a sleep crutch anyway.

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