Reported to SS

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For the last 3 years our son (who is now 4) has averaged around 2 hours broken sleep a night. He is autistic and will play, scream, laugh all night long. Recently things have escalated and after a 3 day period of no sleep I was so desperate I ordered 1mg melatonin gummies online from America. I know it's silly but I've asked for help and there's just non available. My older child is suffering as she isn't getting sleep, me and my husband are on the verge of divorce, our work is suffering and it's just a really miserable situation.

I didn't really realise how wrong it was and did tell nursery as I was at my wits end and they are aware of the struggles. Obviously from a safeguarding point of view they have to report this now which I understand, they are an amazing nursery and do have our best interests at heart! I'm not just worried for what may come. The gummies have not arrived and I wasn't even 100% on giving them to him but when you're in a hopeless situation you do silly things.

I'm now panicking, I'm hoping social services may see this and realise how much we need help regarding my sleep but I'm really worried about what they will say.

Try not to worry. Use it as an opportunity to seek more support. Ask for a carer’s assessment and an assessment of DS’s needs by the children with disabilities team. Ask about your local short breaks offer. Request a referral to paeds and a sleep clinic. They can prescribe melatonin and other medication to aid sleep if necessary. Also a referral to OT. If an EHCNA hasn’t yet been requested, ask them to support this.

I order all DD's melatonin online from the USA. GP and Psychiatrist both know I do it and didn't seem the least bit concerned.

Why are they reporting you to social services?

And I really feel for you - DD was the non sleeping baby and young child and I felt like I was losing my mind at times with the lack of sleep.

I’m a social worker and parent to ADHD / ASD / PDA child…. I also ordered melatonin gummies online while on the waiting list. Now it is prescribed.

Yes, it is illegal to import it to use with a child. However, it happens a huge amount due to how long it takes to get support.

In the case of a bad reaction to it, yes there could be consequences as you’re giving an illegally obtained, unregulated medication. However, SS are highly unlikely to consider this an issue - especially as you’ve not received the gummies or given them yet!

Some private sleep clinics will assess for malaise and provide a private prescription. This could be a legal route for you while waiting for NHS support.

That should say melatonin not malaise!

We had melatonin prescribed at the ADOS by the paediatrician and the GP then took the prescription over and we have used it without incident for over 4 years now.

And our DC's sleep, while problematic, was nothing like as bad as yours sounds!

Please try not to worry too much. This is an over the counter medication in other countries and in fact used to be in the UK.

Sleep is important.