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ASD kids and sleep issues

pastaladypastalady member
in Special Needs

DD had major sleep issues from birth. I am not kidding when I say she slept 20 minutes at a time. When she turned 2 and had never slept more than 3 hours in a row we saw a sleep specialist and behavioral therapist. They helped a lot. We learned how to set a rigid non-negotiable routine for her. No staying up 10 minutes later on special occasions, etc. Everything revolved aroud her sleep. It worked. She STTN for the first time at about 2 1/2 years old.

For almost the last year she has been sleeping 12 hours at night, no naps. It has given DH and I our lives back. She has OCD as well as ASD and her rituals and routines make for a long day. We need time to destress alone while she sleeps.

Well, last night she stayed up until 4:30 am. 22 hours awake. We tried everything. It was meltdown city. She actually looked like a possessed child lol! Her screaming was awful. All I could do was hold her. She kept telling us she just wanted to watch tv. She is not sick.

She fell asleep on me at 4:30 am and woke at 7:30. I am terrified it's beginning again. She used to stay awake up to 36 hours at a time. I cannot do it again.

I made an appointment with her doctor and sleep specialist this am.

anyone go through this? I am on the verge of a nervous breakdown. As I write this she is a little grumpy but no worse for wear.

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Olivia Kate is almost 4!
Diagnosed with autism this year and doing great!
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Re: ASD kids and sleep issues

  • malcivarmalcivar member

    Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry you're going through this.  I have no advice to give as DS has never really had this type of problem - he's more of the type who will go to sleep at 8pm and wake up at 1:30-2:00 and stay awake for 2-3 hrs, then fall back asleep.  He usually "sings" to himself - it's stimming really but it seems to keep him from getting grumpy about being awake.  

    Good luck.  

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  • mjsweetgirlmjsweetgirl member
    Our dev pedi recommended we try melatonin with DS1 who has an ASD dx. She recommended the Natrol liquid melatonin in his bedtime sippy cup, we do one dropper full. Talk to your pedi and ask their advice. I hope you are able to find a solution soon! hugs!!
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  • ABColeslawABColeslaw member
    we're getting ready to try melatonin.  The sleep stuff is getting out of control in my house and I'm exhausted.
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  • JcrabJcrab
    Definitely consider melatonin! I'm so sorry you are going through this. My DS gave us major hell in the sleep department his first two years but not quite that bad. I hope you get things back to normal ASAP! Hugs! I don't know if you have anyone that can help out a bit, during the worst of it DH and I would go to a hotel overnight every 46 months just to sleep while my cousin took care of him. GL!
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  • annibesannibes member
    imagemalcivar:

    Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry you're going through this.  I have no advice to give as DS has never really had this type of problem - he's more of the type who will go to sleep at 8pm and wake up at 1:30-2:00 and stay awake for 2-3 hrs, then fall back asleep.  He usually "sings" to himself - it's stimming really but it seems to keep him from getting grumpy about being awake.  

    Good luck.  

    This is how DS is, too. Can't stay awake at 7-8 PM if no nap during the day but then wakes up to pee or just because at 2 or 3 AM and is up for the night, or at least until I have to get ready for work, then he's out cold. Frustrating!

    OP, I hope things get better soon. That sounds so excruciating. I totally understand what you mean about needing that time to decompress at the end of the day. I try to have never-ending patience like we all do, but at the end of a long day you need a few minutes of time that are not allocated to someone else!

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