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Struggling with son waking during the night
karina2014
Member Posts: 3 Listener
My son is 4 and has been diagnosed with asd I've been begging for melatonin and keep saying there is a waiting list to see a clinical nurse it's making me I'll he can wake up every hour or tops is 4 hours I really need some help I feel that he has been diagnosed and then I've just been left without any help and I'm struggling to cope I really need respite
Replies
Welcome to the Scope community and sorry to hear about your sons condition. Try contacting the National Autistic Society they were very helpful with my son a few years back.http://www.autism.org.uk/
Good Evening it’s great to meet you.
I’m very very sorry about your current problems.
We have got some info on our site which will help:
https://search.scope.org.uk/s/redirect?collection=scope-meta&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.scope.org.uk%2Fsupport%2Ffamilies%2Fdiagnosis%2Fautism&index_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.scope.org.uk%2Fsupport%2Ffamilies%2Fdiagnosis%2Fautism&auth=lmkPij2LcIn7oWw%2FP5Ct2g&profile=_default&type=FP
There is also some advice on respite below:
https://search.scope.org.uk/s/redirect?collection=scope-meta&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.scope.org.uk%2Fsupport%2Ffamilies%2Fdiagnosis%2Fautism&index_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.scope.org.uk%2Fsupport%2Ffamilies%2Fdiagnosis%2Fautism&auth=lmkPij2LcIn7oWw%2FP5Ct2g&profile=_default&type=FP
Please please let me know if I can help/support you further????
I know it's difficult and I suspect that you've been struggling for much of the past 4 years. I admire the courage that has got you so far. Please bear with us now and we will try to help you.
Warmest best wishes
Richard
First thing I would advise is to look for stimuli in your sons room. Anything tiny, including the standby light on a plug or tv can trick the brain into thinking its day. Mad I know, but it works. If theres stuff you can't unplug then try and cover with some black electrical tape.
Second thing I would advise is to look at your routine. How he goes to bed, How he settles, what you do if he gets up. I would apply the silent technique when putting him back to bed. If you aren't familiar with it, it goes; First time they wake up you tell them "its bed time sweetheart (or whatever you call them) and you take them back and re settle them. the next time its "its bed time" and take them back and re settle. The third time they get up you do not speak to them. you take them straight back to bed. and carry on like this. It will take a while.
I do sympathise tho. We suffered 3 years without melatonin. Is it your GP you are asking for melatonin or your children paediatrician? You can ask for an emergency paed's appointment. And ask for help.
Have you entered in any parents support? If you let me know what area you are in I can point you in the right direction. There are plenty of us tires ASD mummy's out here!
I would also say that melatonin just gets them to sleep, doesn't keep them asleep.
Best to you,
Richard
I've been wracking my brain about your situation and would give anything to be able to help. Have you by any chance checked out your local authority website? It seems that your town has a fairly active voluntary sector and just starting an enquiry there might lead to something. https://www.ashford.gov.uk/your-community/voluntary-and-community-sector/ There's an email address for a Michelle Byrne on that page that just might be worth a try.
I am so sorry that this is so little.
Sincere best wishes,
Richard
Strategies to Improve Sleep in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Parent's Guide
Many children with ASD have difficulty with sleep. This can be stressful for children and their families. This informational booklet is designed to provide parents with strategies to improve sleep in their child affected by autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The suggestions in this tool kit are based on both research and clinical experience of sleep experts.
Download the Sleep Tool Kit (Parent Booklet) here!
"These materials are the product of on-going activities of the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network, a funded program of Autism Speaks. It is supported by cooperative agreement UA3 MC 11054 through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Research Program to the Massachusetts General Hospital. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the MCHB, HRSA, HHS, or Autism Speaks."
Sleep Tool Kit Quick Tips
Here are some other ideas that might help improve a child’s sleep. We call them “quick tips” and they may be used in addition to the Sleep Toolkit.
Start by reading the Sleep Toolkit. Then look at these additional ideas for help with:
· Using a Visual Schedule to Teach Bedtime Routines
· Images for a Visual Schedule · Using a bedtime pass
· Sleep Tips for Children with Autism who have Limited Verbal Skills
We developed these quick tips based on questions and feedback from parents. If you have other questions or ideas about other tips that would be helpful, please let us know by emailing us at [email protected].
Download the Sleep Tool Kit Quick Tips here!
"These materials are the product of on-going activities of the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network, a funded program of Autism Speaks. It is supported by cooperative agreement UA3 MC 11054 through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Research Program to the Massachusetts General Hospital. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the MCHB, HRSA, HHS, or Autism Speaks."
Hope this helps.