People living with autism can often have trouble sleeping, including difficulty falling asleep, restless slumber, night terrors and nightmares. Furthermore, children on the spectrum tend to spend less time in REM sleep — an essential period for memory development.
Doctors use various approaches to evaluate sleep issues among those living with autism, including interviewing caregivers and asking them to keep a sleep diary. One noninvasive option is actigraphy – a wristwatch-like device which tracks movements.
Insomnia
Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder associated with autism and can impact people of all ages. Insomnia leads to difficulty falling or staying asleep, frequent awakenings, restless legs syndrome and restless legs syndrome – often brought on by sensory issues, anxiety and medications. Research has revealed that poor sleep may worsen autism symptoms; researchers don’t fully understand why but have some theories; one theory being lack of REM sleep makes it harder for the brain to absorb new information, while another believes autism disrupts circadian rhythms which regulate sleep-wake cycles – disrupted.
Autism-related factors that contribute to insomnia also include sensory sensitivities and coexisting conditions like gastrointestinal diseases or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Certain medications used for ADHD treatment, like stimulants, can also interfere with sleeping.
Researchers are actively developing methods of improving sleep for children with autism. Parents can try to reduce sleep disruptions by practicing good sleep hygiene practices such as limiting screen time before bedtime and creating a relaxing bedtime ritual, along with using natural or over-the-counter sleep supplements as needed.
Some individuals with autism tend to ruminate, or think repetitively about issues they find bothersome while trying to fall asleep, exacerbating insomnia. Autism-related behaviors such as repetitive breathing or an involuntary urge to move can also disrupt sleep patterns.
Autistic individuals frequently snore at night, which could be an early indicator of sleep apnea. If snoring persists, it would be prudent to consult your child’s GP to explore treatment options and consider any contributing conditions like gastrointestinal issues, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or anxiety that might be interfering with sleep and treating them can be challenging – professional help should always be sought in such instances. Cognitive behavioral therapy has proven successful at relieving insomnia for some individuals living with this diagnosis.
Anxiety
Anxiety can make sleeping a struggle, leading to frequent awakenings that exhaust individuals and can have serious adverse effects on health and wellbeing. Common signs of anxiety include difficulty focusing, feeling overwhelmed or worried and difficulty keeping still during the night.
Studies have demonstrated that those living with autism are more prone to anxiety than others, even without being diagnosed with any specific mental disorder. Autism makes communication more challenging for those living with the disorder and family members can find it challenging to fully understand their concerns. Individuals diagnosed with ID are also more likely to have psychiatric conditions like anxiety. People with ID often struggle with communication and may not know how to express or recognise their own worries (Bailey & Andrews 2003; Matson et al 1997). Unfortunately, due to limited measures available for measuring anxiety in this population, anxiety prevalence estimates may be overestimated, necessitating additional research in this field.
Researchers do not yet fully understand why people with autism experience anxiety, but do know it can negatively impact sleep. Children with autism tend to have more restless and disruptive sleep cycles compared to other children, as well as more night terrors or nightmares than others. This may cause behavioral difficulties during the day as well as low mood or feelings of depression in people living with autism.
Anxiety may contribute to sleep issues among those with autism by making tasks more tiring, and interfering with their circadian rhythm and production of melatonin, a hormone which controls their body’s biological clock.
Many adults on the autistic spectrum find navigating social situations that don’t cater to them difficult and can cause anxiety. When someone breaks an unwritten rule and is punished, this can increase anxiety levels significantly and potentially result in losing friends which is very distressful for autistic adults.
Toilet training
Children with autism often struggle with toilet training as they fail to display common signs that they need to pee or poop, such as showing any urge signs. Furthermore, they may resist sitting on the toilet altogether or use it less frequently due to sensory overstimulation caused by noises, temperature differences in bathrooms and the swirling water from toilet flushers – an experience which can be extremely distressful for parents who desperately want their child to develop this life skill. This process can become frustratingly tiresome.
If your child has sensory issues, try to address them before beginning toilet training. For instance, if they cover their ears when entering the bathroom or have difficulty sitting on the toilet, a stool could help them feel stable and secure while if their feet get cold on cold bathroom floors, socks might help provide comfort or consider placing a rug. Children who are sensitive to sounds of running water or toilet flushing might need ear defenders or an enclosed quiet room to prevent these sensations from occurring.
Another key part of toilet training for kids with autism involves teaching them the correct sequence of actions that need to take place when peeing or pooping. Because many children with autism rely on routines, it may help if you create a visual schedule with steps they should take when needing to go in order to urinate or defecate.
Use of visual systems can also aid children who suffer from proprioceptive sensory issues or difficulties with balance. Proprioceptors are sensors that tell your body where it is in space; for instance, they tell if you’re walking down a hallway and bumping into furniture or need to balance on one leg more than another. If your child displays these sensory symptoms, consider providing them with a stool or helping them stand with feet on ground while sitting on toilet seat.
Bedtime routine
Many children with autism find it challenging to sleep well at night due to sensory issues, anxiety, or routines like lining up toys or rocking. Receiving adequate rest can improve social, emotional and cognitive functioning; otherwise your child could become irritable and aggressive while not learning as effectively.
Researchers do not yet fully understand why children with autism struggle to sleep, but do know they tend to be sensitive to environmental stimuli such as light and noise pollution, as well as having mental health conditions like anxiety or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Other possible factors could be anxiety or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Your child can benefit from a more conducive sleeping environment by altering its environment. Make sure their bedroom is quiet and dark, free from distractions like TVs or computers, with comfortable bedding and pajamas for nighttime. Many autistic children attach themselves to specific stuffed animals or toys which should be included into their bedtime routine; ensure it remains consistent even on weekends or school nights.
Sometimes medications prescribed to autistic people for other conditions may also interfere with sleep. Risperidone and Abilify, two commonly used to treat behavioral disorders in autism, both have potential side effects that include insomnia.
Autism cannot be cured, but making sure your child gets a restful night’s rest can help them feel more calm and relaxed throughout the day. Alterations to their diet or physical activity could also improve sleep quality; if their difficulties continue, consult with healthcare providers immediately.
Melatonin or valerian root extract may help balance your child’s sleep-wake cycle; however, they should always be taken under medical advice and only used if behavioral interventions have failed first. It’s particularly important if they have risk factors for self-injury or poor social skills that require medication as a solution.
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