DS not sleeping, waiting for referral for melatonin - anything over the counter i can use?

[YourHandInMyHand]

Ds is 10 and has autism. Hes never slept well but combined with increased anxiety making it worse we are both absolutely shattered.

Is there anything like nytol that would be suitable?? We will be waiting ages to see paeditrician again and we cant go on like this.

We were given a very small supply and a lot of advice about sleep hygiene, things like no screens after half six. So you may find that the appointment doesn't actually result in a prescription for long.

It has been offered before (melatonin) and i passed as was wary but feel its worth a try now, his tiredness is affecting his mood, school, and so on and hes actually begged for help with getting to sleep. Have done sleep workshops and things before, so am already aware of that side and have those steps in place already. Is your dc autistic nerf? Have u found anything that helps?

Hi yes he is, aged 12 now. I have actually found that cutting screens to an 8pm switch off (can't manage 6.30 yet!) has worked well, and an enforced side light not main light and reading in bed has helped. Also set aside time to talk about worries - so he used to come in all the time to talk at me and now knows we will cover it at a given time.

We do no screens after 7, night light, reads in bed, worry keeper, lavender/camomile products, etc. Im at my wits end to be honest.

Research blue glasses, we have used them for half an hour in the morning to switch off melatonin correctly by activating the pituitary. This then means that the darkness in the evenings switches the melatonin on correctly.
It's been very effective for us ,

Can he concentrate enough to listen to a cd? The Paul McKenna one is very soothing and hypnotic. Look on you tube. It's called I can make you sleep. The book is excellent, too, but may not be relevant for your DS.

Oh poor you, maybe make sure you explain all that at the appointment to pre empt any suggestions about alternatives?
We didn't use the melatonin as id been told by a gp about a link with LD . As I never found anything about this on the net I suspect it wasn't true at all.

Can you not buy Melatonin over the counter? I am not in UK though, and we can, i have bought in the past and used successfully. My ds has adhd and not autism though.

Does your DS have dificulties falling or staying asleep. Oats, cherries and turkey help the body produce melatonin. Is your DS's sleep any better at different points in the year. Maybe a walk outside in the morning witth arms exposed if weather permits to switch off melatonin production.

Not heard of blue glasses will have a look.
He won't listen to CDs or radio, he needs visuals to accompany any information to help him process it.

He has difficulties with both ssunniebear. He also has a food phobia - I would cry with happiness if he would consider even one of those foods but alas he has a rather restricted diet!

UPDATE: We now have a prescription for melatonin has magically appeared at the GP's surgery. It's amazing what a load of tedious phone calls and logging people's names and times of calls can do. Really hope it helps him and kick starts a better sleep cycle as I am at the end of my tether!

Melatonin is fab, I just buy over the counter here

You can buy melatonin on the internet, I've done so several time (am in the UK). I also use the blue Nytols (as opposed to the green box herbal ones) and find them very good, but not sure if they are recommended for children...

I came home with a years supply from the usa, says not for under 18's but my American friends had used occasionally for kids.
I love it.

My child's pedeatrician recommended it for my child. (Who has adhd.)