Sleep and the Autistic child

The rate of sleep disturbance and sleep disorders is notably higher in children who have other health or developmental disorders. Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders and Autism have particular difficulties in sensory processing. These can be general or specific to that child. There are ways to assist children affected by these difficulties to improve their sleep pattern and thus improve the whole families sleep.

Patterns and routines are even more important as they cue the child to expect the next consequence or next event. Having a good, simple, regular routine is comforting to a child. Other sensory assistance in getting the child to be calm and ready to sleep can be successfully used in different formats, different intensities and variations to meet the child's sensory needs.

Using "heavy work" concentrates the child's energy and calms. Pushing a weighted basket round an obstacle course can be fun. The basket should be heavy and require effort but not so heavy as to strain the child pushing it. Playing wheelbarrow games where the child is the wheelbarrow may also be helpful. Again, this requires concentration of effort.

Some children benefit from the use of a weighted blanket. There are a variety of manufacturers who produce these. The blanket may be weighted with a variety of fillings. Ideally the weight of the blanket should be about 2.2Kgs heavier than the child. Tucking a child in a weighted blanket offers firm pressure over the body and for some children this is very comforting. It can feel a little like being swaddled, held comfortably without the need for someone to do the holding.

Using white noise in the bedroom can help some children because it blocks other noise and reduces distraction. For some children the same techniques which help children settle to sleep and remain asleep are every bit as effective for children affected by Autism and Autistic spectrum disorders. It simply requires more repetition before the child can relax and settle into the routine.

Every child is different. What works for one child may be less effective for another and it can take a while trying and repeating things to identify the most effective routine and resource for your child.

If you would like help with your child's sleep, Contact Dream-Angus.com

Sleep and the newborn baby.

Most newborn babies will sleep 16-20 hours out of 24. They wake when hungry or uncomfortable and are fairly easy to soothe once the reason for crying has been established. For the first few weeks it would appear that there is no routine. Baby can demand a feed at intervals of bewteen 2-4 hours. Some times this interval varies throughout the day. During growth spurts more feeds are required. In these early weeks it is not possible to alter baby's sleep wake cycle and there should be no need to. A baby will wake and sleep as the infant's body requires.

Recognising when an infant is tired takes time. Some babies will rub their faces on the person holding them, yawning, closing their eyes and sometimes even stretching before a nap. In the early stages the infant lacks the co-ordination to pull at an ear or rub tired eyes. An upset baby can be soothed by low frequency noise. A washing maching, vacum cleaner, a radio not quite tuned in to the station, music which before was heard through the thick abdominal wall, now played softly may halp.

If you are holding an upset baby try patting slowly at slightly less than heart rate, about 60 pats a minute, this reflects a resting heartbeat and is reminiscent of the rhythm heard in utero.
Soothing a baby to sleep requires a general slowing down of everything. Voice interaction should be quiet and of a low pitch. Put your infant down in the crib before they are completely asleep will help them to accept that going to sleep does not require any adult intervention. This will prevent problems later.

Once the child is about 3-4 months a more definate pattern starts to emerge.

For help, advice and support with your child's sleep
Contact Dream-Angus.com

Sleep and the newborn baby

Newborn babies often seem to turn night into day. Many new mums struggle to cope with their own sleep deficit while settling baby and coming to terms with the changes this new life brings.

Babies born at term (when they were due/not premature) should sleep for 16 to 20 hours a day. Premature babies may sleep more. The sleep periods usually last 3 to 4 hours and waking is most commonly due to hunger. Breast fed babies may sleep for shorter periods because breast milk, which is definitely the best, is more easily digested. Wake times are usually short, 1-2 hours wakefulness. When fed and changed baby should settle to sleep within 10-15 minutes.


Mum's sleep
If at all possible mum's should aim to catch up on their own sleep while baby sleeps.

Teaching baby to sleep.
It is helpful if parents learn to recognise when baby is displaying sleepy signals and, while baby is awake but drowsy, put the baby down to sleep so that baby learns early on to self sooth.

It is unlikely that a routine can be firmly established before 12 weeks of age. Babies have no memories and insufficient experience of life to know that when they cry, someone will come and feed/change them. This requires learning which is accomplished when, over a period of time, the baby's experience shows that mum comes when baby cries and that his/her needs are met when they are signaled.

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