Light summer evenings- HATE them - anyone else?

[Jimjamskeepingoffvaxthreads]

The bedtime behavioural problems start! Every year. I won't even go into tonight!

Was just going to say that. Do you have black out blinds (I know, obvious )

A friend of mine whose little boy was a nightmare sleeper used that velcro tape around the outside of the window recess and stuck the blackout stuff to it so no light got in at all. Drastic, but it did the trick!

His room is pretty dark, has blackout material and he hates even chinks of light so the curtains are well shut. We have hideous red velvet curtains in the hallway etc (previous owners- but they're dark). He just knows. I don't know maybe he doesn't produce enough melatonin or something when its light but he'll take hours to settle. Upi there making weird noises now. If I go up to see him he'll leap out of bed and wee on the floor. (Did that earlier and he had to really push to get a few drops out).

I know you can get melatonin prescribed. Do you think there's any way of getting him tested? Sorry if that's a really stupid suggestion but I know I've read somewhere you can get it for jet lag etc.

the melatonin is being used again here too- mind ytou only worked properly for one night; now it's just calming him down, which actually is probably adequate.

We have melatonin - hard to get into him. I could try again if it gets really bad.

I just hate the summer as you know! I will definitely be going the Melatonin/Chloral Hydrate/Mickey Finn route! Also want to find more after-school activities for summer rather than coming home as we can't use the garden at all with DS

When we first did up Harrys nursery we put up wooden shutters, cos they went with the style of the room, the added benefit was that the room was pitch black. For the shutters we used the ready made Lourve doors that you can get from focus or BQ.They fold back in the day and are not really that intrusive

Why can't you use the garden with ds Davros? Do you mean keeping him awake. I'm getting ours decked and am going to organise a hidey hole for us to drink our wine in :o

We looked at those louvre doors for ds2's rom dizzy to stop ds1 climbing up on the windows but it didn't work out very well (they were too big) Could work in ds1's room though.,

do you have the powder? I've tried hiding it in things but ds1 eats around it. I ended up getting so stressed trying to get it into him I gave up :o

From the UK? Can they prescrivbe that now ooh- I used liquid that Davros got for me but it had to be shipped in from the states. Do I need to see the paed? I guess so,

ooh thanks Fio

Our paed can't prescribe to post dx, can't get a dx without SALT, SALT waiting 12 months..... costs us a fortune to buy so only for desperation

We got pills on prescription and couldn't get liquid/powder. GP will take over prescription from Paed but we haven't used it enough to sort this out. Our GP uses a service called Pharmacy2U where I order repeat prescriptions on line and the Med (not the prescription) turns up on your door within 2 days, fan-bloody-tastic!!!!
We can't use the garden because DS has a persistent stim which he's had since he was about 2. Basically its sprinkling, flicking, pouring, dropping... in front of his eyes, pref into light. So he spend all the time in the garden digging in soil and throwing it all over the place. FIne if you can get away from it, I'd just let him get on with it, but our garden is tiny so you can't get away from it. I bought sand last year as a replacement and our char-grilled vegetables got covered in sand instead of soil . Then he comes into the house covered from head to toe and, if he's been able to find any water (DD found the tap last year) he comes in caked in mud.... over and over and over and over. I'm going to find out if we can get one of those Disabled Grant thingies (I posted info on the Advice on Moving thread) to remove all the soil from the garden and pave/deck fully.
How long and boring..... you did ask!

Strangely Davros, my non ASD ds2 does that too! It's a stimulation thing I'm told (he has had hearing problems, though they're clearing up apparently)

annoying isn't it? I couldn't even stand on the gravel by Sam's class or he'd be doing it.

Have you tried that night time milk jimjams if your ds will take it?
Has a high level of melatonin in it.

Comforting to know it's not just me. We've had a dreadful time the last few weeks and I thought the return to school last Monday would help the routine ........not much!
Our paed. has suggested melatonin. I was reluctant to consider it (DH really not keen) but realise we can't go on as we are. Are there any adverse effects? Any advice appreciated please.

Melatonin is a hormone NOT a drug so no need to worry as much. I've never heard of adverse effects. HTH