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Original poster

Bed time routine for 8 years above

6 replies

SENmum88 · 30/05/2023 21:30

What is everyone's 8 year old bedtime routine?? Does anyone allow there child to use iPad to sleep?? I'm finding it difficult with my autistic son, there's been a rapid change

OP posts:
Flurbegurb · 30/05/2023 21:35

Would audio books help? Think am ipad would be very stimulating.

Original poster
SENmum88 · 30/05/2023 21:36

Flurbegurb · 30/05/2023 21:35

Would audio books help? Think am ipad would be very stimulating.

Iv tried books and audio stories and they haven't worked. X

OP posts:
justpostinghere · 31/05/2023 06:20

Yes, I let my son (10 ASD/PDA) fall asleep with his tablet. He has it on nearly constantly when he is at home, almost like a background/comfort thing. I use Google Family Link so can have it set to switch off at a certain time, so I know he isn't watching it all night. It works for us. Previously he wouldn't lie in his bed alone so I was having to put my daughter to bed then come through and lie with him until he fell asleep (took awhile for this to happen).

Having said this, it doesn't work for my daughter (likely also ASD/PDA though with different profile). She can't seem to fall asleep watching hers. She does like an audio story via Alexa (same one every night). I still need to lie next to her. So I think it depends very much on the individual. But perhaps worth a try?

Original poster
SENmum88 · 01/06/2023 19:03

justpostinghere · 31/05/2023 06:20

Yes, I let my son (10 ASD/PDA) fall asleep with his tablet. He has it on nearly constantly when he is at home, almost like a background/comfort thing. I use Google Family Link so can have it set to switch off at a certain time, so I know he isn't watching it all night. It works for us. Previously he wouldn't lie in his bed alone so I was having to put my daughter to bed then come through and lie with him until he fell asleep (took awhile for this to happen).

Having said this, it doesn't work for my daughter (likely also ASD/PDA though with different profile). She can't seem to fall asleep watching hers. She does like an audio story via Alexa (same one every night). I still need to lie next to her. So I think it depends very much on the individual. But perhaps worth a try?

Thank you. The iPad seems to be the only thing that works. Normally I'd lay next to him and he'd fall asleep. However he's become very stubborn and wants his iPad to fall asleep to

OP posts:
Polik · 01/06/2023 19:20

I have an 8, nearly 9yo.

8.15pm she's told yo brush teeth and get ready for bed

8.30pm she can read up to 9pm (sometimes she only reads for 10 mins tho, if tired)

9pm, or after she's done reading if earlier, 1st Harry Potter audiobook on. It stays on until we go to bed at 11pm ish

NB - it's important with my DD that the audiobook is repetitive and one she knows. If it's a new book she ends up staying awake to follow the story. The audiobook to fall asleep to is about background noise and comfort, not literature stimulation. She does swap between HP book 1, 2 and 3 - but knows them all.

justpostinghere · 01/06/2023 19:31

SENmum88 · 01/06/2023 19:03

Thank you. The iPad seems to be the only thing that works. Normally I'd lay next to him and he'd fall asleep. However he's become very stubborn and wants his iPad to fall asleep to

Show quote history

I should probably add that my son takes melatonin to sleep (prescribed by paediatrician). So this perhaps helps him too.

But for him watching the tablet is comfort, rather than deeply engaging. He even has it on while he is playing the computer for example. I have no idea how he copes with all the input but he gets anxious without it, so it makes life better for all of us.

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