Written by: Amanda Dominguez, Program Manager
There are many children with Autism who have difficulty falling asleep or let alone sleeping through the night. Not getting enough sleep definitely can result in behavioral issues along with being tired the next day which leads to an increase in their behavior. Here are some tips to help your child fall asleep better.
- Make sure your child’s bedroom is dark and quiet. Your child may be sensitive to some noises which can make them uncomfortable.
- Keep a bedtime routine. Remind your child of the amount of free time they have before bed by using a timer or visual support. Once the time is up, transition your child into their nightly routine.
- Make sure your child falls asleep alone. Once your child associates themselves with sleeping with you at night, then they will want it all the time. If they wake up, quickly put them back to sleep on their own bed.
- Keep your older children away from naps or short as possible. Longer and later naps for children older tend to be more difficult when putting them to sleep.
- Make sure your child’s pajamas are comfortable for them to sleep in. The texture can be irritating which can increase their chance of not getting good sleep.
