6 year old with Aspergers - Is he hyperactive?

[Spinnerbear]

My ds is 6, and has high functioning Aspergers. He is smart as a whip, but acts as though he is hyperactive. He has been particularly naughty lately - cheeky comments, bad language, generally bad behaviour. He eats a good diet, is not allowed lots of sweets or junk, or sugary drinks. Sometimes he is practically jumping up and down on the spot. He has never been easy at bedtime, but through the winter was unexpectedly good. Now that the evenings are light, instead of 8pm bedtime, reading for a little while and asleep by 8.30 or so, he is bouncing, cheeky and pestering his older sister (13), and we are lucky if he is asleep by 10pm. Yelling doesn't work, naughty step doesn't work, the only thing that seems to get through to him sometimes is taking away TV, computer and Wii rights.

I am open to suggestions - I am near the end of my tether. I don't really want to get the School Doctor involved, although she is very supportive of us and a genuinely nice person.

Help!

Have you tried the SN board? You may get some more replies

Having trouble sleeping is a problem for many autistic kids. If bedtime is the only time he is acting this way it may be more of a sleep problem.

Also if he is not getting enough sleep that could affect his behaviour during the day.

Sympathy. I have a 12yo and a 7yo currently being assessed for ASD. Their behaviour is fine to be fair but bed is just not happening because it is so light outside.

I don't know if I need to reinforce early bedtimes or let their circadian rhythms sort themselves out but it is a bit wearing.

Not sure what to suggest. I wouldn't make it a naughty issue though - talk with him and say you understand how hard it is to fall asleep in the summer, and would anything help - story in bed, etc etc.

He went through a bad time for a couple of weeks, but now the sleep has settled down a bit, but he is still being monstrously cheeky, he got in trouble yesterday for spitting at this sister. He sees things on TV and reads things in books, and thinks it is okay to repeat and do the same things. DH has sent the Horrid Henry books to the charity shop, which I completely agreed with. My 13 year old daughter used to love them, and went through a spell of acting out, until we threatened to dispose of them. Now her brother has inherited them from her, and we have had to dispose of them. It is as though he is going through the terrible 2s four years late, because he was lovely at 2, cuddly and mischievous, but not naughty.

Now waiting for my 13 year old to get her full assessment done. Sigh ....

It never stops, does it?

Sorry I haven't any advice, but do sympathise. My 5 year old (suspected aspergers) discovered horrid Henry and I've had to ban in now too. She is also really hyperactive some days and others seems much better. I've wondered if it's sleep related as she too doesn't sleep well at all. Watching for answers here with you!

I went to the GP for my DD when she was 6 thinking she had ADHD as her concentration at school was so bad and she struggled to sit still. She is always fiddling with things. Her sleep was terrible as a baby but got into a good night time routine and slept well until the age of 4 (day time was always a running battle though). From 4 her sleep has been awful and this contributes to her bad behaviour at school. She's now 7 and waiting for an ASD assessment. We've had one Paediatric consultation and he said the sleep and concentration problems may be due to ASD related anxiety rather than ADHD.

It is as though he is going through the terrible 2s four years late, because he was lovely at 2, cuddly and mischievous, but not naughty.

I can totally relate to that.

DD has just started on melatonin. For the first few days she was off like a light (a miracle) but really, really tired and badly behaved. The last few nights it hasn't really worked well so back to square 1.

You're not alone OP.