As a mother of 3, one being a son with Autism and ADHD, it’s all too familiar.  Trust me; I know how you feel. I spent so many years talking to doctors and therapists, fatigued and perplexed, trying to figure out why he couldn’t settle down and sleep. No one could help me; I was continuously given generic advice that didn’t help me or my son William.

Are there proven strategies for autism and better sleep?

I spent countless hours reading, researching, and consuming all that I could about nutrition, habits, and the biological mechanisms of sleep.

The more I learned, the more I started questioning why isn’t anyone talking about sleep, gut issues, and histamine. Why isn’t anyone discussing the correlation between tryptophan, serotonin levels, and melatonin? 

I was told to create a bedtime routine. Nonsense!  Anyone who lives with our kiddos knows that it’s not just about routine, but most don’t know what else they need to do, and believe me, there is so much we can do.

The struggle with Autism, ADHD and sleep is real….

No one knows why sleep issues occur more commonly in children with autism/ADHD than in their neurotypical peers but some theories include sensitivities to stimuli, biological brain differences, high rates of anxiety, and other factors such as diet, sensory needs, etc. 

What we do know is that sleep disturbance has been shown to impact concentration, mood, memory recall, and sensory processing systems. It also increases stimming and hyperactivity as their bodies are stuck in fight or flight mode because sleep deprivation activates their sympathetic nervous system. 

It’s alarming is that it’s estimated that 80% of kids on the Autism Spectrum and who have ADHD experience the following: 

Resistance to bedtime

Trouble falling asleep (sleep-onset insomnia)

Restlessness and discomfort while sleeping

Waking too early and daytime sleepiness.

Sleep apnea or breathing interruptions during sleep

Sleeping much less than recommended for their age

Waking through the night and staying awake for more than an hour

We Provide Sleep Solutions for Special Needs Kids

As a Certified Special Needs Sleep Consultant and mother of a little boy with Autism, there is no better person to have on your team, guiding you through your daytime and overnight, with balance and grace. 

There is hope, kids with Autism and ADHD can and will sleep…

Any caretaker of an autistic child knows that no two kids on the spectrum are the same, which means no two sleep plans should be the same, even if the underlying issues are identical.

By working together, we will consider the inherent contributory factors to poor sleep and will assess environmental, medical, and nutritional influences.

I know it can be an overwhelming process, but I will be with you every step of the way.  As parents of special needs kids, we already have enough challenges in our lives, and sleep doesn’t have to be one of them.