Teens and sleeping all the time...
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Teens and sleeping all the time...
| Mon, 06-13-2005 - 12:27am |
I posted a few weeks ago about getting a second opinion on my 15.5 y/o's recent diagnosis. Something that just came to my mind was his sleeping habits. If he's not on his computer, he's sleeping. Is this a trait of Aspergers, sleeping all the time?
Laura

Hi there,
It isn't neccessarily a symptom of AS, but I have heard teens need lots more sleep due to increased growth. However, what you are talking about sounds a bit extreme. Have you taken him to the doctor about it?
Cait was doing this in the fall and I took her to the doctor. We found it was her seizure med that was doing it so we switched meds. However, the doctor also blood tested for iron. I guess iron defiency can do it as well. Also, one other thing and this is the scary one. It can be a sign of depression and depression can be common amung teens with AS.
It is something you are going to want to check out. Increased sleep is one thing but "whenever he isn't on the computer he is asleep" to me is concerning. Whether it be medical, a medication reaction or depression you are going to need to address it.
Renee
Dear Laura,
I have an almost 8 year old PDD-NOS son, not a teenager, but my 15 year old NT niece sleeps ALL the time. I understand from one of those talks shows that teenagers often need extra sleep anyways to help with extreme growth spurts and hormone changes. And if your child has sensory issues, the extra sleep could also be his nervous system needing extra time to unwind. Computers (being one focus and source of input) also help lower the anxiety that comes fromneeding to decipher a confusing world with confused senses. Sadly, for our kids, computers often substitute for learning interaction and coping skills in the world, so we limit our son's "screen" time. But we do let him sleep as much as he wants to.
yours,
Sara
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