Nocturnal teenagers and horrible mornings. Help.

[CarolCervix]

DD is 13 and has aspergers. Quiite possible the worst combination of vilness in creation.

She is getting more and more nocturnal. Doesn't want to go to bed at a decent hour and once there won't sleep (she doesn't actually do anything, just lies there awake).

Which means the mornings are getting worse and worse, what with her constant nagging and whinging and tantruming about feeling sick all the time and refusing to go to school and now more and more she is refusing to get up until she is running late, which then makes her more anxious, which means she feels sick and panics about going which makes her feel more sick so she refuses to go.

SO........

What can be done about the going to sleep and getting up (the other issues are unfixable)?

One thing that worked for DS apart from melatonin was a fixed bedtime routine, including a lavendar bath - he was not impressed with that but given you have a DD it may work, followed by bedtime drink and porridge (oats supposed to help them sleep) then reading - no screens an hour before bed as too stimulating.

DS' paed did say that people with ASD generally don't need as much sleep as NTs, but clearly if it is causing morning problems then she seems to need it.

she's an absolute bloody nightmare. we normally have the morning routine sorted but so many bloody things set her off it is worse than a minefield full of unexploded grenades and angry vipers. if i say nothing it's wrong, if i am firm it is wrong, if i sympathise it is wrong, if i say anything it is wrong.

this mornings paddy was about homework she hadn't done, so had to do it this morning.

this is depite me phoning home yesteday evening (from work) and reminding her (as always) to do any homework she had (as i always do).

Hi everyone(hi Maryz)-must admit I,m beginning to find this a bit of a problem also. My ds(almost 12) is beginning to become a little nocturnal also and its really affecting him the next day.He also has AS and often just lies there thinking about stuff(has various anxieties about different issues). No matter what I try he still ends up going to sleep later and later. Its funny Maryz, been thinking lately about doing a checklist also for mornings and evenings- I think its a good idea and may help reduce anxiety a little about things that get forgotten.Like you ,Carol, the slightest thing can set him off. Whoever said earlier that teenage hormones and AS dont mix well hit the nail on the head.My ds is not yet 12 but I can see /hear those hormones creeping up already. Dreading it! Glad your ds is coming out the other side Maryz!