Til what age did you have to sit with your DC until they fell asleep?

[Clinicallyon]

Curious About others experiences….
my 8.5 year old DS with ASD and ADHD still needs us to sit on his bed until he falls fast asleep. This takes about 1-1.5 hours on average, with melatonin. He doesn’t sleep at all without the melatonin.
just wondering if others have also had to stay in the room with their child, at what age this stops? 11/12??? Never?????
I quite want my evenings back.
thanks so much.

DS3 was younger than your DS when he could fall asleep alone, but DS1 is a teen and still needs someone in the room while he is awake. That isn’t going to change.

Is DS taking prolonged release melatonin, immediate release melatonin or both?

Has DS ever tried any other medication to help with sleep either as well as melatonin or instead of?

Some of the things we tried included: a two-way monitor, walkie talkies, various lighting, dream pad pillow, ear plugs, brushing, worry book, tents, doodle book/pillowcase, music, white noise, various apps, weighted blanket, audiobooks, life size teddy, relaxation, meditation. We also tried the elastic band tech technique and an adapted version of gradual retreat. These are all things some people find works for them.

Thank you so much for replying @roaringdragon
i’ll have a good read through. We’ve tried a few of those but not all.
Tried both prolonged melatonin and immediate. Immediate one works better. Out of interest what other sleep medication are you referring to? DS now finally (finally) sleeps through the night once he dies eventually get to sleep.

I suppose I’m just used to my other children who we would simply kiss goodnight, turn the light out and then they could fall asleep alone (with or without the door open).
DS is our youngest and I’m probably just extra tired…

thank you again.

There are lots of other medications that can be tried either as well as melatonin or instead of. These range from the relatively simple such as promethazine,and alimemazine to some things less commonly used such as clonidine and the hardcore such as chloral hydrate. Has DS been seen in a sleep clinic?