Autism & Sleep Disorders
As much as 80% of children and adults with autism claim to have issues with their sleep. These can take on the form of sleepwalking, waking up frequently, or being unable to fall asleep in the first place. The impact of sleep deprivation on emotional wellbeing, academic performance, social relationships, and family dynamics can become extremely severe. Still, there are things that parents can do to help their students if they have been experiencing disrupted sleep patterns for some time.
Causes
Though the medical world is in complete agreement that there is a correlation between those with autism experiencing sleep issues more frequently than neurotypical people, the exact causes are unknown. Possibilities that have been considered are:
Failure to understand the social cues associated with sleeping and bedtime
Under or overproduction of melatonin at times of the day not associated with sleep
Extreme sensitivity to external stimuli, such as noise or light
Genetic factors
Poor sleep hygiene
Drinking caffeinated beverages too late into the evening or taking naps that go on for too long
Consequences
The consequences of frequently disrupted sleep on children with autism can look like the following:
Higher frequency of challenging or antisocial behaviors
Breakdown in peer relationships
Increase in obsessive, ritualistic, or compulsive behaviors
Anxiety or Depression
Inability to regulate emotions or communicate emotional turmoil
What Can Parents Do?
Seeing the consequences of a disrupted sleep pattern on your child’s wellbeing can be difficult for any parent. Still, there are many things you can do that will likely see a considerable improvement in their sleep quality. As the first point of call, we suggest trying:
Adapting your child’s bedroom so that it is entirely dark and cool at night time
Using a sleep diary to track sleeping habits and looking for repeated patterns
Investing in sensory-related relaxation products like a white noise machine or a weighted blanket
Developing an evening and bedtime routine with clear expectations that must be adhered to
Giving warnings that the bedtime routine will begin soon
Introducing an exercise routine
Stopping all caffeinated beverages being consumed from the afternoon onwards
Considering taking melatonin supplements to aid feelings of sleepiness
Organizing a reward system for reaching milestones, for example, one whole week of not getting up at night time or for following the bedtime routine to the letter
Taking such steps should lead to a noticeable reduction in nights of broken or disturbed sleep but should problems continue, it’s always advisable to seek a professional medical opinion. When considering cases of highly troubled sleep, they may recommend your child participate in a sleep study to get a firmer idea of their sleep cycle and eliminate the possibility of sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome. They could also suggest bright-light therapy, where your child is exposed to bright light in the morning to stimulate feelings of wakefulness. The most important thing parents should do if their child is suffering from sleep problems is to take care of themselves and make sure that, as much as possible, their sleep pattern doesn’t become overly compromised. A huge sleep deficit makes you more vulnerable to making deprivation-based mistakes and less emotionally equipped to handle the demands of parenthood and adult life.
We hope that this blog has shed some light on the causes, consequences, and solutions to the sleep disturbances experienced by those with autism. For more information, we highly recommend checking out our blog and free downloadable guides.
If you would love for your child to have the opportunity to study at PS, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Enrollment Specialist, who would be happy to connect with you. PS not only boasts a comprehensive school experience, but we also consider life beyond high school with our LyfeLaunch Transition program, aimed at those wanting to take the next steps in their future. Check it out!