Why do Autistic kids hate sleep?

SantoriniSteph

My DS was Dx with ASD at 2 years old, he will be 3 in December.  This past March he started sleeping in 5 hour increments, sometimes.  He likes to stay up late and wake up early, and barely naps during the day.  He will often wake up at 3AM and stay awake for 1 to 3 hours.  Then go back to sleep.  Meanwhile I will usually not be able to go back to sleep and then get up at 6:30 to get ready for work.  With my husband's work schedule, I'm on my own every night.  We tried melatonin but it seemed to have the opposite effect and he stayed awake all night long for a week.

One of our cousins with Autism didn't sleep through the night until she was 13 years old.  I'm hoping DS is not trying to beat her record...

No question really, just a vent.  I have decided that he hates sleep.

Zeidy01

Yup, been there! It's a fucking nightmare. Sorry mama.
We tried a very low dose of melatonin to help them fall asleep, but it won't help to keep them asleep for the whole night.

For us, a consisten schedule and routine is the only thing that has worked. At almost 51/2 year old, we still use a baby projector and play music. I'm sure they'll be 30 and still use that damn machine.

Now they sleep from 9pm-7am. they hardly wake up unless they are sick. We also got full size beds so I can climb in bed instead of brining them to our room.

Best of luck!

mrsdeanna

Zeidy01 said:

Yup, been there! It's a fucking nightmare. Sorry mama.
We tried a very low dose of melatonin to help them fall asleep, but it won't help to keep them asleep for the whole night.

For us, a consisten schedule and routine is the only thing that has worked. At almost 51/2 year old, we still use a baby projector and play music. I'm sure they'll be 30 and still use that damn machine.

Now they sleep from 9pm-7am. they hardly wake up unless they are sick. We also got full size beds so I can climb in bed instead of brining them to our room.

Best of luck!

This! The only thing that saved my butt is I was and have always been strict with a sleep schedule and daily routine since he was an infant. For my 3 1/2 year old autistic son, I still use a video monitor, sound machine and projector with stars and a moon that projects on the ceiling. Our babysitters have said he is by far the easiest kid they have ever put to bed at night. Just do your best at keeping a routine and hopefully he will catch on. Hang in there mama!

mrsdeanna

mrsdeanna said:

Zeidy01 said:

Yup, been there! It's a fucking nightmare. Sorry mama.
We tried a very low dose of melatonin to help them fall asleep, but it won't help to keep them asleep for the whole night.

For us, a consisten schedule and routine is the only thing that has worked. At almost 51/2 year old, we still use a baby projector and play music. I'm sure they'll be 30 and still use that damn machine.

Now they sleep from 9pm-7am. they hardly wake up unless they are sick. We also got full size beds so I can climb in bed instead of brining them to our room.

Best of luck!

This! The only thing that saved my butt is I was and have always been strict with a sleep schedule and daily routine since he was an infant. For my 3 1/2 year old autistic son, I still use a video monitor, sound machine and projector with stars and a moon that projects on the ceiling. Our babysitters have said he is by far the easiest kid they have ever put to bed at night. Just do your best at keeping a routine and hopefully he will catch on. Hang in there mama!

I should also mention all the above travel with us everywhere we go if we are staying overnight somewhere. Crazy, I know but it helps him sleep
So much better.

MirandaHobbes

My son, too, is just the sweetest thing in the morning- but a beast when he wakes from an afternoon nap. I usually have to wake him up from the nap- I think his body thinks it is nighttime and he'd sleep til like 7 pm.

The weighted blanket is a neat item. I can see myself loving it. I always sleep the best in those hotel beds with a thousand blankets all tucked in so I can't move. DS has a habit of watching cartoons on the ipad snuggled under a load of blankets- so much so that he insists on having them all piled up on him because it improves his performance on Minion Rush. It probably helps him concentrate.

Zeidy01

I also considered getting this

https://www.etsy.com/listing/51393995/lycra-twin-sheet-you-choose-the-color

My kids love that elastic feeling

SantoriniSteph

DS hates blankets, he won't allow me to put one on him.  I have to keep the house at a nice temperature and put him in warm PJs in winter.  I was tempted to buy a weighted blanket, just to see if he liked it, but it was so expensive and he will probably hate it.

His routine changes everyday, I'm sure that is part of our problem.  He has special ed class 2 days a week, ABA therapy 5 days a week split between 3 different therapists.  And 3 different grandparents watch him throughout the week.  I work full time and luckily our parents are helping us with daycare.  Everything will change in January though.  He will move to the public school special ed class 5 days a week, and my father in law is taking him 4 days a week after school.  My mom has him Fridays.  I'm so hoping this change will help put him in a better routine.

Thanks for all the replies!  It is nice to not feel alone in this.