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Sleep or lack of

NAS92569
1 month ago

Hi all, 

I've just hit the end of my tether after 10 years and now I need help. My daughter 10, has always been an awful sleeper and an incredibly light sleeper. This week has broke me a bit so I need some advice or it will get betters. Something. 

I believe she has autism, but we haven't had an official diagnosis (one of her siblings has a diagnosis and sleeps amazingly well).

My 10 year old has only ever slept in ridiculous patterns, like 2 hours at a time. She was baby #1, I thought all children slept like this until I had baby #2. I never understood why other parents weren't as knackered as I was. 

I feel like she forces herself to stay awake on purpose, by watching TV, loud music, or sitting bolt up right in bed. When she finally does sleep it's for very little time. I realised recently how much I almost pander to it, I've always gone bed almost immediately after her as I know she will have me up within the next 2 hours. Again with the forcing herself to stay awake, she will want to chat, and try and get into a whole huge chat about things she knows we would have to look into. I give her plenty of time and opportunity to talk to me( somedays she does so the whole, need water or food, toilet, feel poorly, bedtime faking routine). I'm so over it. She's so difficult to awaken in the morning and nearly late everyday.  

Last night she has me up 3 times. What can I do to help her get a better night's sleep? 

Parents
  • 22 days ago

    I find sleep an issue at times, being tired helps, I know it sounds daft but exercise will help in terms of burning off that energy.

    I know it's adding yet another thing to your list but consider PDA, since diagnosis (autism) I understand it's one reason I struggle as I often resist going to sleep, finding things to do to keep myself awake (TV, scrolling on phone etc ) if someone tells me I need to sleep I'm less likely to. I need to feel like it was my idea and even then I can see myself as being wrong and rebel against it sometimes.

    Noise and other sensitivity issues also play a part at waking me then I struggle to go back to sleep, at which point I really want to but can't and the anxiety of knowing I don't have long before I have to get up keeps me awake longer!

    I hope you find answers, I'm sure eventually you will, good luck :) 

Reply
  • 22 days ago

    I find sleep an issue at times, being tired helps, I know it sounds daft but exercise will help in terms of burning off that energy.

    I know it's adding yet another thing to your list but consider PDA, since diagnosis (autism) I understand it's one reason I struggle as I often resist going to sleep, finding things to do to keep myself awake (TV, scrolling on phone etc ) if someone tells me I need to sleep I'm less likely to. I need to feel like it was my idea and even then I can see myself as being wrong and rebel against it sometimes.

    Noise and other sensitivity issues also play a part at waking me then I struggle to go back to sleep, at which point I really want to but can't and the anxiety of knowing I don't have long before I have to get up keeps me awake longer!

    I hope you find answers, I'm sure eventually you will, good luck :) 

Children
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