In this post, we'll cover:<\/p>\n
- Does\nAutism Really Affect Sleep?<\/a><\/li>
- Tips\nfor Healthy Sleep Routine in Autistic Children<\/a><\/li>
- Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n
<\/span>Does\nAutism Really Affect Sleep?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The short answer to this question is \u2014 absolutely, it\ndoes affect sleep. While it doesn\u2019t necessarily have to be the case in every\nsingle person that has autism, most children do have trouble either falling\nasleep or waking up in the middle of the night and falling back to sleep again.\nThis can be quite irritating given the fact that they will then be sleepy\nduring the day, which can, in turn, trigger exaggerated behavior and anxiety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not only that, but a child that didn\u2019t manage to get enough rest from the previous day will not be motivated and ready to interact with the environment, which only worsens the autistic disorder. In order to put an end to it, it is essential to determine the potential causes, and there are two main causes \u2014 one related to hormones, and the other is related to the stimuli in the room.
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<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe first common trigger for sleep problems in autistic children is a melatonin imbalance
<\/a>. As you might know, adequate melatonin levels are what keeps us going during the day and motivate us to sleep during the night. In a non-autistic person, melatonin levels should be on the rise approaching the nighttime and then kept minimal while you are getting on with your daily routine. <\/p>\n\n\n\nHowever, children with autism seem to have low levels of melatonin when bedtime comes, which is why they have trouble falling and staying asleep. While there are specific methods of adjusting melatonin levels naturally, such as bright-light exposure therapy
<\/a>, the most popular one seems to be the use of melatonin supplements. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe second common trigger is heavy stimuli that are triggering your child and disrupting their sleep pattern. This is mostly the result of TV, video games, or playtime
<\/a> before it is time to sleep. As you likely know, autistic children are more reactive and sensitive to stimuli, which is why adjusting the environment before bedtime is essential. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Tips\nfor Healthy Sleep Routine in Autistic Children<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Now that we have determined the potential causes of\nsleeping problems, it is time to talk about several methods and lifestyle\nchanges that may change it for the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most important thing is that you keep a good track of what you feed or give your child to drink before bedtime. As with adults, sugary or caffeinated beverages will not only disrupt healthy sleep patterns but also result in an unwanted energy boost, that will keep them up for the whole night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So unless you want your child jumping around, you\nshould exclude these for at least a couple of hours before sleep. Additionally,\ntry to give them a light meal an hour before the bedtime routine for two\nreasons: first, so they are not hungry, and second, because keeping the\ndigestion process going can positively affect sleep patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our second piece of advice is that you should create a\nsoothing and relaxing environment. As we mentioned above, autistic children are\nmuch more sensitive to light and sounds. For this reason, you will need to\nadjust this to create a healthy sleeping atmosphere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Close the curtains, turn off the lamps, and any\nentertainment source, including a computer and TV. On the other hand, you can\nstill keep some light and relaxing music going as it might prove beneficial\ntowards getting your child to sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apart from creating an adequate environment, you should\ndo your best to relax your child before bedtime. This could mean reading their\nfavorite story, giving them a massage, or lying down with them until they fall\nasleep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last but not least, try to stay away from sleeping pills and melatonin supplements unless these are really necessary. While some medical drugs may be efficient when it comes to insomnia, certain side effects can trigger other issues with autism, which is why you shouldn\u2019t use them before consulting a pediatrician.
<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nFor more information, check out the detailed webinar by <\/strong>Dr. Benjamin Black<\/strong>
<\/a> below \ud83d\ude42<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
