Ensuring your child has good sleep hygiene can seem daunting as a parent, but autism sleep problems can bring a whole new twist on what is considered a good night’s sleep. Children with autism are known to have different social and sensory behaviors compared to typically developing children, both of which can contribute to sleep

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in Sleep Solutions by Donnesa McPherson, AAS

Whether your child is a toddler or a teenager, chances are if they are having sleep difficulties you have been recommended melatonin by your pediatrician or other specialists. This is a very common recommendation for individuals who struggle to sleep, more specifically for people on the autism spectrum. It is usually the first step that

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in Sleep Solutions by Melissa Doman, BA, CSSC

For many autistic children, getting a good night’s rest can be a real challenge. Sleep difficulties can include taking hours to get to sleep, frequent nighttime wake ups, inability to stay asleep, very early mornings, and more. When your child is not sleeping well, you can see that they struggle to stay focused and may

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in Sleep Solutions by Melissa Doman, BA, CSSC

My six-year-old son won’t sleep in his own bed, so we have been letting him sleep with us. How can we work on moving him back to his own room? He has sensory issues and always wants to be near me. —Jenny Dear Jenny, This issue of children with sensory issues not being able to

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in Sleep Solutions by Kelly Beins, BHSc, OTR/L

With the start of another school year around the corner, there’s no better time to look at ways to optimize your child’s sleep. Sleep is essential to good health, and a lack of sleep can result in problematic behaviors, an inability to concentrate, fatigue, and poor academic performance. Sleep issues in children and adolescents with

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in Sleep Solutions by Lisa Varadi, ND

Dan Slage, an electrical engineer in Winter Park, Florida, noticed two of his work colleagues showing up at the office bleary-eyed and cranky. Both were parents of children with autism spectrum (ASD) who regularly woke up fully alert and ready to play in the middle of the night. Slage’s colleagues weren’t alone. Researchers believe 40

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in Sleep Solutions by Barbara Liston

Sleep disruptions in children with autism studied This week, a new study has been published in the Journal of Developmental Disorders that examines why children with neurodevelopmental disorders experience higher levels of sleep disturbance. Researchers at the Universities of Leicester and Birmingham studied children ages 2-15 years old with a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders including

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in Sleep Solutions by Katherine G. Hobbs, AA

Studies show that a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is likely to experience more sleep issues than a child who is not on the spectrum. A child with autism may find it harder to get to sleep, to stay asleep, and sleep earlier in the day. Frequently, the bedtime routine can be challenging for

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in Sleep Solutions by Caroline Preston

The experiences of autistic children are unique to each individual child, so many parents find it challenging to understand their needs. For some situations, there are no answers, but thankfully, through advocacy, resources are becoming more and more accessible. One of the challenges experienced by parents of autistic children is difficulty around their child’s sleeping.

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in Sleep Solutions by Katherine G. Hobbs, AA

“Our son didn’t sleep for YEARS until he started listening to your music. I have to admit the concept sounded a bit like snake oil at the beginning, but now I am a true believer. I sing your praises to anyone who mentions sleep issues. Kids with autism (and their parents) have many challenges every

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in Sleep Solutions by Jeff Strong

The inability to get a good night’s sleep is experienced by most people at one time or another. However, recent studies show sleep concerns are more prevalent with people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). For many people with autism, it can be a challenge to get to sleep and stay asleep, which can have

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in Sleep Solutions by Melissa Doman, BA, CSSC

Sleep problems are common in typically developing children, but can be particularly prevalent in children with Asperger’s and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). These sleep problems often appear as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early. Sleep is an essential element in emotional and physical health, and disruptions in sleep can negatively affect coping

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in Sleep Solutions by Southeast Psych

Insomnia (sleeplessness) is quite common among all age groups due to lifestyle changes and associated stressors, which also leads to anxiety, depression, burn-out, and stress.  Stress can cause complicated physiological changes such as increased blood pressure, heart rate, metabolic changes, or indigestion. Sleeplessness affects children with autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD),

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in Sleep Solutions by Aditi Srivastava, MOT, PGC

Sleep problems are common amongst children. For children with autism, sleep can be even more challenging. Studies show that up to 80% of children with autism have some sort of sleep difficulties. Most often it is due to difficulty falling and/or staying asleep. The goal of this article is to review sleep hygiene and discuss

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in Sleep Solutions by Sujay Kansagra, MD