Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello,
My almost 9 year old son is ADHD/ASD. I believe the pillow on his head is relating to ASD.
Every night my son will sleep in the same position, surrounded by his toys in the exact same spot every night and make me lay a pillow over his face, now this pillow has to be in the EXACT position and I am there for about 45 minutes up to an hour getting this pillow on him in the right position for him to be able to sleep. This also happens if he wakes in the night (which he often does if the pillow has come off him or he needs the toilet or a night terror, the list goes on) then I have to stand there again for a lengthy piece of time getting this pillow exactly right.
Does anyone else’s child do this or similar to this or does anyone have any tips or ideas to try as I am losing patience and sleep!!
thanks
This seems unsustainable - have you tried alternative ways to help your son get to sleep faster without the need for the pillow in case you can train him out of this behaviour?
Since you are there constantly reinforcing it then it is only becoming more established.
How about tiring him out before bedtime on occasion so he falls asleep more quickly, or using some natural sleep aids to do the same - just for long enough to get him used to a more sustainable sleep routine?
We are constantly tiring him out with all sorts of clubs and things going on and then do the wind down routine before bed. The issue I think is not him being tired as he is tired and wanting to go to bed but just won’t without the pillow covering his head, I feel it’s maybe an anxiety comfort thing but I am going to have to put a stop to the pillow not being in the exact place he needs it, I will try the mask someone else suggested and if not try and reinforce I’m putting the pillow on once and that’s it as you’re right I’m reinforcing it by standing there and putting it back on him until he tells me it’s right.
Routine is a key component I feel..