The Ultimate Sleep Guide for Children with Autism

If your child with autism is having a hard time with bedtime it can be rough. The constant struggles, pleading, and tantrums can make any parent feel worn out. 

Thankfully there are some solutions that you can implement to help your child get a good night’s rest.

But before we list those let’s examine why children with autism can struggle with going to sleep. 

Why do children with autism struggle with sleep?

There are many factors that can contribute to sleep difficulties in children with autism. Some common reasons include:

Sensory issues: Children with autism may have sensory sensitivities that make it difficult for them to relax and fall asleep. They may be sensitive to noise, light, or other stimuli that can disrupt sleep.

Anxiety or stress: Children with autism may experience anxiety or stress that can interfere with their ability to fall asleep or stay asleep.

Difficulty with sleep routines: Children with autism may have difficulty following a consistent sleep routine, or they may have trouble transitioning from one sleep stage to the next.

Medical conditions: Some children with autism may have medical conditions such as epilepsy or gastrointestinal issues that can disrupt sleep.

Medications: Some medications used to treat autism or other conditions can have side effects that affect sleep.

While every child is different, these are some of the more common factors that can lead to your child not going to sleep. 

Now let’s examine some tips that you can use to help your child get a better night’s sleep.

Tips to help put your child with autism to sleep

There are several strategies that you can use to help your child with autism get a good night’s sleep.

Establish a bedtime routine: Children with autism thrive on routine and predictability, so it can be helpful to establish a consistent bedtime routine. This might include activities such as brushing teeth, reading a book, and saying goodnight to loved ones. Having a consistent routine can help your child know what to expect and feel more secure at bedtime.

Create a calming bedroom environment: A calming bedroom environment can help your child relax and fall asleep more easily. This might include dimming the lights, using white noise machines or calming music, and making sure the room is at a comfortable temperature.

Encourage relaxation techniques: Teaching your child relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation, can help them calm their mind and body and prepare for sleep.

Avoid stimulating activities before bedtime: It can be tempting to allow your child to watch TV or play video games before bedtime, but these activities can be stimulating and make it more difficult for your child to fall asleep. Instead, try to engage in quiet activities such as reading or coloring before bed.

Use positive reinforcement: If your child is able to stay in bed and fall asleep on their own, be sure to praise and reward them for their efforts. This can help encourage and reinforce positive sleep habits.

Have a comfortable bed: A comfortable bed can help alleviate pain and discomfort, which can be especially important for children with autism who may have sensory sensitivities or physical challenges. 

Consult with a healthcare professional: If your child’s sleep difficulties persist despite trying these strategies, it may be helpful to consult with a healthcare professional such as a pediatrician or sleep specialist. They can assess your child’s sleep patterns and provide additional recommendations or refer you to a sleep center for further evaluation and treatment.

If none of these tips are working your doctor may recommend sleep medications.

Sleep medications for children with autism

If your doctor determines that medication is necessary to help your child get a good night’s sleep, then it is important that you know more about the medications that he might recommend.

One commonly used sleep medication for children with autism is melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate the body’s sleep-wake cycle. It is available over-the-counter and is generally considered safe, with few side effects. However, it is important to carefully follow dosing instructions as too much can lead to sleepiness, headache, nausea, and even agitation.

Another medication that may be used to treat sleep difficulties in children with autism is a sedative-hypnotic medication, such as a benzodiazepine or non-benzodiazepine hypnotic. These medications can be effective in helping children fall asleep, but they can have side effects, including daytime drowsiness and the potential for dependence.

If you don’t want to medicate your child you can always try working with a sleep specialist.

How can sleep specialists help your child 

A sleep specialist is a healthcare professional who has specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. If your child with autism is experiencing sleep difficulties, a sleep specialist can help in several ways:

Assessing sleep patterns: A sleep specialist can assess your child’s sleep patterns and identify any underlying issues that may be causing sleep problems.

Providing recommendations: Based on the assessment, the sleep specialist can provide recommendations for improving sleep, such as establishing a consistent bedtime routine, creating a calming bedroom environment, and using relaxation techniques.

Referring to other specialists: If the sleep specialist determines that your child’s sleep difficulties are being caused by a medical condition, they may refer you to another specialist, such as a pediatrician or psychologist, for further evaluation and treatment.

Overall, a sleep specialist can be an important resource for helping your child with autism get a good night’s sleep. They can assess sleep patterns, provide recommendations, prescribe medication, and refer to other specialists as needed.

In addition to a sleep specialist, your child’s ABA therapist will be able to help your child’s bedtime routine. 

How can an ABA therapist help your child with bedtime

An ABA therapist can help your child with autism with bedtime by teaching them bedtime routines and providing positive reinforcement for following the routines. They can also teach your child how to fall asleep independently and how to manage any behaviors that may be preventing them from getting a good night’s sleep.

Here are some specific strategies an ABA therapist might use to help your child with bedtime:

Establish a consistent bedtime routine: This can include activities like brushing teeth, reading a book, and saying goodnight to family members.

Use visual schedules or social stories: These can help your child understand and anticipate what will happen during the bedtime routine.

Use positive reinforcement: This can be in the form of praise, stickers, or small treats for following the bedtime routine.

Teach your child relaxation techniques: This can include deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or visualization exercises.

Use a sleep diary: This can help you and the therapist track your child’s sleep patterns and identify any potential issues or triggers.

Address any behavior issues: If your child has behaviors that are disrupting their sleep, the therapist can help identify the cause of the behavior and teach your child new ways to cope with those feelings.

It’s important to work closely with your child’s ABA therapist to develop a bedtime routine that works for your child and your family. With time and practice, your child can learn healthy sleep habits and get the rest they need to thrive.