It's 2 a.m.; do you know where your child is? For many parents of children with autism, the answer could very well be, "No." As more and more funding comes from the federal government and private donors to research autism, leaders in the field are figuring out what many parents already know: frequently, children who are diagnosed with autism are unable to sleep.
Whether it's because your child cannot go to sleep or because he or she wakes up intermittently throughout the night, your child is just not going to sleep... and as a result, neither are you. Both of you are well under the time required to have what is considered a good night sleep (approximately 10 hours for your child, and just about 8 hours for you). You're practically worn down to a nub while your child is just as hyper as he or she was the day before, and the day before that, and the day before that, etc.
Of course, as you already know, because your child isn't sleeping as much as he should be, he is becoming depressed, irritable and angrier than ever, his hyperactivity is increasing, and it's causing him to have some trouble in school. It feels like a daunting task to undo everything that had been done before. What is a parent or caregiver to do?
First and foremost, don't give up! Human beings are given this amazing reserve of emotional strength that they some times don't realize they have. Find it; tap into it. You can do it.
Secondly, find some respite even if it's only for a night. Don't think of it as pawning your problems off on someone else. It truly is every bit as important that you get your sleep as anyone else. Without a good night's rest, you will be unprepared to meet demands of the next day, which include raising your autistic child.
Try to establish a nighttime ritual that will help to calm down your autistic child, rather than one that will stimulate him or her at the end of the day. Definitely avoid activities like watching TV, playing games, or using the computer as these can provide a significant amount of stimulus for your son or daughter. Think about calming activities such as taking a bath (especially if you are able to use the lavender bubble bath soap) or reading to your child.
There are a number of new studies that show how melatonin, given near bedtime, might help children with autism get to sleep and possibly sleep better. In one of the most recent studies, the time it took for a child on melatonin versus a child on a placebo to fall asleep was almost half that of the child with placebo. While there is still quite a bit of work to do on many other studies, the initial melatonin research is very promising.
Lastly, in an effort to keep a meandering child from hurting him- or herself in the dark of night, you might want to consider looking into a new bed. Not necessarily one of the $10,000 hospital-style beds with restraints, but a bed designed with the interests of the parent and autistic child in mind. Rather than worrying about your child getting up in the middle of the night, you can be rest assured that something like Noah's Bed will hold your child safely. A unique, patented design allows for the parent to place their child on a soft mattress and cocoon him- or herself away. Meanwhile, parents' who are still concerned about an errant child - can finally stop yelling and screaming at each other long enough to realize they are finally going to get a good night's sleep.
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If you are worried about your child getting out of bed each night, Noah's Bed could be the solution you are looking for to ensure you and your autistic child get a good night's sleep.
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