Published on 12, July, 2020
I have terrible trouble sleeping. I either can't get to sleep or I wake up multiple times throughout the night. I've always had this problem, started in my teens, but I'm still like it now despite originally everyone telling me it was a girl thing and related to puberty.
I used to think it was where I'm just weird but now I have been diagnosed with Autism and according to the woman who assessed me this is common for people with Autism.
I wonder what causes the sleep difficulties?
For me I wonder if it's anxiety related as this is something I struggle with chronically on a daily basis but it could also be things like my mind not being able to ignore things like the wind blowing, or the house creaking... Or my head aching when I lay a certain way on my pillow.
I'm very sensitive to a lot of things and I wonder if this is also causing me grief when trying to get to sleep.
I'm still learning so much about autism and myself. Sorry if this has been mentioned before and if it's not even related to Autism.
Hi
As the father of an 18 year old autistic daughter and im pretty sure i am on the spectrum too im finding life increasingly difficult.
My daughter has massive problems getting to and staying asleep. This is reflecting hugely on her attendance at college. Im concerned that she will be kicked off her course because if it.
She wakes up with huge headaches and IBS symptoms. She says that sensory issues with things touching her body keep her awake, but when she tries to remove covers etc, that also causes her more sensory difficulties.
Does anyone have any tips or tricks/treatments to help her sleep. The GP is not helping very much with a request for melatonin.
Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions you may have.