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Huge Sleep Issues!

NAS50318

Any advice would be helpful,

My son is 6 and autistic and  PDA. 

He is tired but never sleeps, he will not sleep unless I lie with him and always gets in my bed. The others copy him and then I'm up all night. 

I don't have any family help or specialist support, we haven't seem his paediatrician for a year. He's been like this nearly 5 years and I'm getting quite scared as I see the same tendencies and sleep regression in my 3 year old. 

His room is organised as he likes it, it's got good natural lighting and is very muted colours. It's as he likes it. Does anyone know what impact electronics have on autism? Like kindles or consoles? Could this be disrupting him?

Thanks in advance

  • I’m autistic with PDA my sleep is same now as when I was 3 years old I’m 49 years old now.

     I sleep 3 hours tops never change my doctor ses I’m fit as a fiddle , so don’t worry it’s bad for him coz I’m living proof it’s not , My parents made me a pillow out of their old jumpers I could smell them and found comfort they were near me . 

    My mind set when I was going to bed was the end of a day I didn’t want to end . 

    It scared me . 

    Remember he will always need time to calm himself down . 

    Hope helps 

  • Hi. Electronics can be disruptive to autistic and neurotypical people - some people are more sensitive than others. I've heard that it's best to stay away from electronic devices for at least 2 hours before going to bed.

    Blue light from electronic devices is one of the biggest sleep disruptions, so using a blue light filter (often referred to as 'Night mode' in your device settings) can dull the screen and reduce the effect. 

    It might be worth encouraging him to read, do puzzles, draw, or write in a journal before going to sleep, rather than using electronics.

  • Hi!

    From my understanding all electronics should be avoided close to bed time as its over- stimulates the brain.

    I know its hard, but stearing your boy towards puzzles, books, playdoh, bubbles around bed time has a far more calming effect.

    Same applies to sugar around this time.

    Try and get some help from your local experts regarding this as they should be able to give you more specific advice.

    Good luck!