I found something to help D. (asd) get to sleep yay.

[Crawling]

I normally lie next to her until she drops off well the past few nights I have been listening to music on my headphones.Dr is a sensory seeker and I let her listen to one of the headphones the other night and she fell straight asleep. So I've now been playing calm music before bed and it sends her straight to sleep.Just thought I'd share in case it helps anyone else.

White noise helps a lot

DS is sensory seeking and I find if he is using his ipod then he can dress, walk straight and walk through a shopping centre quite calmly.

Shuts out any other sensory issues so he just focuses on the one thing and is therefore calm.

Glad its working for sleep!

Thanks crawling I will have to try that. I also lie next to dd until she falls asleep and this can take a while most nights. DD is also a sensory seeker so this may work with her, she likes music too-thanks :)

We have recently got a wax lamp from argos. It creates a small glow and the movement of the wax seems to relax DS.

I'm going to try the mp3 player with dressing next - I love that! If it works, if and when we get DLA (awaiting) I'll be purchasing him an ipod mini!

I think dd(5) is a sensory seeker - she can be sent to sleep by watching the Sex Pistols and Public Image Limited on Youtube. She is a John Lydon obsessive.

How have I never thought of this before!!!! Thankyou SOOOO much OP!! must try it with DD......she often plays music (loves heavy rock!!) on DH phone on a morning when were getting up and it does make her easier to get ready! Had never thought about bedtime before....we lay til she falls asleep as she gets out of bed to rock and head bang. Gonna look into some headphones for her with that and the extra comfy bed that came today I have a glimmer of hope!!! : )

Another thing I do for DS is buy those keyrings with the plastic covered coil on. He is an oral sensory seeker too or a nervous chewer - better to have those handy! And lucky they are cheap too as he can chew through 1 in a day on a bad day - look in poundshop and 99p stores!

DS1 often listens to Christmas music on his cd player before sleeping. (but to be fair, without the melatonin, he wouldn't sleep)

melatonin kids with asd can be short this hormone which is why they dont sleep

My DD has been known to fall asleep to Metallica before now (she was 2!)

Is this a common feature of children with autism, that they need someone with them to drop off?

She has always been like this, and CAMHS recently suggested she be assessed for AS.