My 8 year old son is currently being monitored at school for possible autism referral. Older sibling is already diagnosed.
My son has always been a night waker and sneaks into my bed most nights. Otherwise sleep has been fine so it doesn't bother me.
In the summer he came back from time with his Dad (seperated for several years) having watched a scary film. He has never recovered from this. He cries at bedtime, says he's scared, and repeatedly gets up. He says he doesn't know why he's scared and it doesn't seem to be directly to do with the film any more - more that this kickstarted bedtime issues.
I've tried all the usual things - extra time at bedtime, relaxing music, worry monster etc. I had advice from a sleep charity for my oldest but the things they had advised in his case don't work. In desperation I've ended up staying to let him fall asleep with me there, but he ends up waking soon after I leave no matter how fast asleep he is beforehand. Last night he was up about 10 times between 8.30 and 10.30. I gave up and let him sleep in my bed but he woke crying at midnight and again at 2ish.
I'm totally exhausted. In my area CAMHS is a 2-3 year wait and there's no right to choose. CAMHS weren't interested in sleep issues with my older son anyway.
Any suggestions?