Studies suggest that individuals with autism are more likely than typical people to have mutations in genes that govern the sleep-wake cycle or those that have links to insomnia. Some studies suggest that people on the spectrum carry mutations that affect levels of melatonin, a natural hormone that controls sleep.
Many autistic children find it hard to get to sleep, or wake up several times during the night. This may be because of: anxiety. sensitivity to the light from smartphones or tablets.
Help Your ASD Child Sleep Better Now
The key is the consistent response from parents. Over time, the child should learn that the response to leaving the bed too early will be exactly the same of parents. This helps children learn to stay in bed until the visual cue to leave is seen.
A regular bedtime routine starting around the same time each night encourages good sleep patterns. A bedtime routine of bath, story and bed can help younger children feel ready for sleep. For older children, the routine might include a quiet chat with you about the day then some time alone relaxing before lights out.
About sleep problems in autistic children and teenagers
Autistic children can have particular sleep and settling problems, including: irregular sleeping and waking patterns – for example, lying awake until very late or waking very early in the morning.
The survey revealed on average, 68% of autistic people get just six hours of sleep (or less) each night, with 59% waking up during the night, and nearly half (48%) waking up 'too soon' in the morning.
People with autism tend to have insomnia: It takes them an average of 11 minutes longer than typical people to fall asleep, and many wake up frequently during the night. Some people with the condition have sleep apnea, a condition that causes them to stop breathing several times during the night.
For children on the autism spectrum, sleep problems typically begin to occur from around 30 months of age. Their most common problems are less total time asleep and increased time to settle to sleep. These are similar problems reported by parents of typically developing children.
Some people with autism might have terrible 'sleep hygiene' — bad bedtime habits — or apnea. Others might have gene variations that disrupt other regulators of the circadian rhythm or that change how the body metabolizes melatonin.
For parents of such children, communication is a problem that compounds the stress & anxiety of parents. Parents face the challenge that their child is unable to communicate their needs and wants. With children at times unaware of nonverbal communication and cues, the challenges of parenting get compounded.
In severe cases, an autistic child may never learn to speak or make eye contact. But many children with autism and other autism spectrum disorders are able to live relatively normal lives.
The study brings hope to those parents who worry that children who are not talking by age 4 or 5 are unlikely to develop speech at all. Some children with ASD develop meaningful language after age 5. "There is a burst of kids in the 6- to 7- age range who do get language," Dr. Wodka said.
Melatonin is used to help autistic children who have sleep problems fall asleep quicker, sleep for longer and wake up fewer times in the night. It might also help to improve daytime behaviour in some autistic children.
They saw an improvement in the time falling asleep and and staying asleep. Physical activity seemed to help with sleep quality which can be a huge set back for children with autism spectrum disorder. So, there you have it. YES, you can sleep train special needs children!
Children with an ASD are not vigilant and do not look up to the caregiver for social referencing. They may not cling to the caregiver, although go up to them for succor. However, some cling to the caregiver because of extreme anxiety.
Autism itself does not affect life expectancy, however research has shown that the mortality risk among individuals with autism is twice as high as the general population, in large part due to drowning and other accidents.
In the case of vocal stimming (or verbal stimming), the child might make noises such as groaning, grunting, high- pitched screeching, squealing, humming, or repeating random words, words to a familiar song, phrases, or lines from a movie.
Check your child's environment
The early morning hours are all about light sleep. Not only do kids sleep in shorter stretches, but they're also more likely to get woken up than the first part of the night. Ask yourself if something in your child's environment is making him more likely to wake up.
Signs of High-Functioning Autism in Children
May appear more mature for their age and have above-average intelligence. A tendency to avoid eye contact. Trouble deviating from a routine or adapting to changes. Trouble making friends and maintaining social relationships or not “fitting in” with peers.
Many kids and teenagers with autism have problems sleeping which can be hard on the child and caregivers. Some have trouble falling and staying asleep, or wake up too early and have a hard time getting back to sleep.
Yes! Although not necessarily all autistic people, many autistic people are more than capable of dating, being physically intimate, and empathizing with their partners.