“If your child could be distracted at night, heavy curtains can block the light.” “Our kids on the spectrum have so many sensory sensitivity issues,” Panzarella said. Panzarella added that environmental factors conducive to good sleep are highly individual. “With anything, transition them onto a predictable routine,” Panzarella said.įor some children, the same pajamas, teddy bear, blanket or other objects associated with sleeping help them settle because they’ve added them to the routine.

Do it at the same time every night.”įor example, a picture of a toothbrush, toilet, sink, storybook and bed in a row could symbolize the order of use of these objects. That way, they know the order they’ll happen in. “It should be consistent and predictable. “When you’re working with individuals on the spectrum, routine is key,” she said. Panzarella recommends a regular nighttime routine, illustrated by a picture board or other display with times listed for older children. Quieting the household before bedtime can assist in easing into the transition to sleep. Just before bedtime isn’t a good time for vigorous activity however, sufficient activity earlier in the day may improve sleep. Providing those issues are not present or effectively managed, parents can work on making bedtime adjustments to improve sleep. “It’s a partnership with them to help children get better sleep,” she said. in Amherst, said that parents should work with their child’s pediatrician to rule out medical issues that can affect any person, such as sleep apnea or acid reflux, when addressing sleep issues.

Tracy Panzarella, director of clinical services at Autism Services, Inc. Sensitivity issues prevalent with people on the autism spectrum may also affect sleep quality and quantity. If that doesn’t happen, sleep can prove elusive. Kuczkowski said that it may be because they lack sufficient levels of melatonin, a natural hormone produced by the body that helps set the circadian rhythm of waking and sleeping. So why do kids on the spectrum experience sleep disturbances? It’s not entirely clear. Behavior in school and in their development is better when you have good sleep.” “They can’t concentrate and don’t listen well.

“When children don’t have good sleep habits or aren’t sleeping well, you’ll see a lot more behavioral issues,” Kuczkowski said. Soda Kuczkowski, owner of Start With Sleep in Buffalo, is certified in maternity, child and adult sleep and is a diagnostic sleep consultant and clinical sleep health educator. Researcher Ann Reynolds, a physician and associate professor, developmental pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, found that children between the ages of 2 and 5 years are more likely to delay bedtime, struggle getting to sleep, feel anxious about sleep, awaken during the night and have night terrors, all of which can mean fragmented sleep.Ĭhildren also need sleep for their own mental health benefits. Recent research published in the journal Pediatrics indicates that children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are at double the risk for experiencing difficulties with sleep than children not on the spectrum.

Tracy panzarella