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Sleep advice desperately needed please!

Monica
over 6 years ago

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! 

Parents
  • over 6 years ago

    Are the screams distressed screams or just i want to be entertained screams?

    Is he tried during the day as a result of being awake for so long at night?

    Does he have a light on in his room ?

    Does he have anything with him to feel safe, not bored? I I know you said he's happy and safe in the small room but does it feel like his nice cost bedroom or like a i can't think of a word for it but like a punishment?

    These are just questions not a judgement.

    Did anything happen at 3 years old anything at all that preceded the change in sleeping pattern? Change of bed, change of routine, change in relationships for example?

Reply
  • over 6 years ago

    Are the screams distressed screams or just i want to be entertained screams?

    Is he tried during the day as a result of being awake for so long at night?

    Does he have a light on in his room ?

    Does he have anything with him to feel safe, not bored? I I know you said he's happy and safe in the small room but does it feel like his nice cost bedroom or like a i can't think of a word for it but like a punishment?

    These are just questions not a judgement.

    Did anything happen at 3 years old anything at all that preceded the change in sleeping pattern? Change of bed, change of routine, change in relationships for example?

Children
  • over 6 years ago in reply to Song

    Firstly, thanks for responding.

    answers to questions.

    They are cross shouts/screams and as soon as I walk in they stop and he starts chatting. 

    Not that tired in the day

    He has a small night light. I took out main bulb as he turns it on...possibly that is part of problem? He has a few books he loves in there.

    i don’t think he sees it as a punishment as often he asks to ‘go in the other room’  

    and cant think of anything that happened aged 3. Since Easter it’s been good week followed by bad week but last 3 weeks have just been (on the whole) bad. That’s why I’m hoping nursery routine will settle him back down. Although he’ll have a lot to cope with as his much loved key worker has left and I don’t think he has computed that. 

    Any advice would be wonderful. Thanks again