DS (3) on spectrum has started crying in his sleep. Help please

[justwanderingalong]

DS has recently been diagnosed as on spectrum. Sleeping for him has not been a problem in the past but now he has started to cry and become very distressed in his sleep. When I go to him to comfort him he does stop but usually becomes distressed again anytime from a few minutes later to an hour or so later. Last night was the worst so far. He was crying although asleep throughout most of the night and has been very tired and restless today as well.

Has anybody else experienced this with their DC? Any tips would be great.

TIA :)

Hi dd1 is also 3 and recently diagnosed on the spectrum! I don't really have advice re your ds's crying in sleep, but sleep problems are common in children with autism. Dd1 was frequently waking and staying awake for several hrs or the rest of the night! At the mo she's sleeping through but it probably won't last. Anyway if you repost on special needs: children board you'll prob get good advice there as loads of experience there :)

Ds went through a period of getting night terrors. I think he was around 3. It was really distressing seeing him so upset but he didn't seem to have any memory of it the next morning.

He either grew out of it, or it was just a phase - I don't think it lasted more than 2 or 3 weeks.

Hoping it just a stage but have noticed from google (not my best idea) that sleep problems are common in children with autism. DS slept right through on Thursday and his Dad told me slept last night so fingers crossed when he comes back tomorrow will still be sleeping through.