Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi, I’m single Mum to non identical twin boys aged 3.5yrs. Twin 1 was diagnosed as autistic 3 weeks ago.
From 7 months to 3yrs he has slept 12 hours a night. But now it’s awful. He is wide awake at bedtime and most nights i separate them and put him in small room where he is happy and safe. H eventually sleeps but then wakes most nights and whilst he use to sing or talk he now screams. When I go in he stops immediately and chats! He is doing this as I type and is relentless- he’s been shouting for over an hour with the only gaps when I’ve gone in.
I work full time as a teacher and term starts this week.any advice would be hugely appreciated.
They have good bedtime routine (sadly his has been interrupted by a broken arm meaning he can’t bath) which is 6pm TV and mil, 630 bath 645 Stories (he never listens to these) and lights out at 7.
I know you might redo mmend no TV but he doesn’t ‘play quietly’ so calming tv seems best.
Hopung routine of nursery will help again.
Any advice or ideas welcome.
thank you!
I hope other parents with similar experience see this and can share their strategies.
In the meantime, here's another recent thread with some thoughts on screaming:
https://community.autism.org.uk/f/miscellaneous-and-chat/12887/my-autistic-daughter-age-9-won-t-stop-screaming/