DS (6, ASD) has never been a trouble getting off to sleep but he has consistently woken early. Formerly it was around 5-5.30, but it seems to be creeping forward an hour or so, and you can see he is shattered during the day. If he has a really early one it definitely affects his school performance too.
He has almost no nighttime baldder control. I go in at my bedtime and put him in a dry pair of PJ pants, this often wakes him but he goes straight to sleep afterwards. If I don;t do this he will invariably be soaked by morning.
I have removed toys and other stimulants from his room but he still has his adored digital clock - I've a feeling that when he wakes he lies and gazes at it til it ticks round to 6.00 (which is when I get up for work and he is officially allowed to rise). It would be hard but I would have a go at removing this if it would help.
When he woke this morning (4.30) I got into bed with him to encourage him to rest. he was happy enough to do this but he didn;t sleep. He makes a lot of jerky movements and cannot seem to keep himself still. When I rested part of my weight on him he seemed a lot more able to stay still. It is this that makes me think a weighted blanket might help, either for him to go to bed with, or I could put it on him when I change him and go to bed. Any views or experience would be gratefully received. Also, any hints as to where a weighted blanket can be purchased cheaply!