Any Aspies with sleep problems?
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| Sat, 06-03-2006 - 10:04am |
Hi, My ds Noah (9) has had trouble in the last few weeks falling asleep. It can be 11:00 or 11:30 before he finally falls asleep. He's always been the kid who tosses and turns thinking about the surface of the moon, does God have a wife? worrying about his spelling test, etc....but usually managed to get himself to sleep at a decent hour. I don't know if it can all be attributed to school stresses (I am going to pull him out of public school and homeschool him next year). I've read that some kids with neuro-disorders have sleep problems.
While school was still in session, out of desperation I went to Walmart and bought some melatonin (2.5 mg) I researched a lot about it and it seemed safe so I gave him one at 8:30 one night and he was asleep at 8:50 - it was amazing - he slept all night. He was SO happy that he got a good nights sleep. I also tried one and slept like a baby.
p.s. Noah is not on any medication and is otherwise very healthy.
Just wondered about any other sleep problems and solutions.
Thanks
Jane

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Dear Jane,
Many of the spectrum children I know (and one adult dh, undx'ed) have sleep problems. I think it is more difficult for their sensory-overloaded bodies to relax. We haven't had a huge problem with ds (age almost 9, PDD-NOS) but he does do better after huge swim or sports sessions when his body has been pushed hard. And we started using melatonin regularly right after switching schools in Feb. from ASD specialty school to more challenging academic private special needs school. For a few months during the transition, his stress was very high and he not only had trouble going to sleep, but often woke with nightmares.
Now ds likes the melatonin so much that he wants to take it every night, even if realistically he is tired enough to sleep without it. And, as you say, it is safe, so we don't see any reason why he can't use it. It makes him very relaxed and I think he really enjoys the feeling as he is cuddling up with his pillows to go to sleep.
I, however, really don't need it, as every time I lay my head down, I conk out so fast I sometimes don't even get the light off!
Sara
ilovemalcolm
Sara,
My son also wants to use the melatonin every night, but last night I thought well schools out, stress is over (HA! dream on mom!) I said let's try to fall asleep without it - he did but not until 11;30 and then because his body clock is still on school time he woke up at 6:30. Poor kid- I'm just going to give him the melatonin tonight so he can get his much needed rest.
Same here with Noah - if he goes swimming or plays a lot during the day he can usually fall asleep better.
Thanks
Jane
My DD is PDD-NOS and had also been having a really difficult time falling asleep at night -- just couldn't settle herself down. We started melatonin a week ago and let me tell you it has been a LIFESAVER!!! It works so well with her, and she just seems so much happier, so much better rested during the day... We only use 1 mg, and that seems to be fine for her.
Jennifer
may take several calls from me. I appreciate all the information and support on this site.
As far as I have ever heard, melotonin is a completely natural product and very safe. I certainly have never heard of difficulties from melotonin, although once you are taking it regularly it can be hard to sleep without it. BUT my son is also on a small dose of a mild antidepressant (Zoloft) and also takes melotonin without trouble...
Still I always think it is good to hear from your doctor when any drugs are involved.
Welcome to the board!
Sara
ilovemalcolm
Hi,
Sleep problems? What's sleep?? My ds has NEVER slept well from the 3rd months of his life and he's 4 now. Somedays, for waht reason I do not know, he lays in his bed for 2 hours not sleeping, singing to himself, whatever, i try no nap during day, i try shorter nap, nothing matters. it's a random variation that keeps our life exciting!! He also is a noisy sleeper, calling out, crying out, and still depends on pacifier. He recently insisted on sleeping with his door open so now we have to sleep with our door shut to block out some of his noise!! Melatonin sounds like an interesting idea...i wonder if you can wait and give it if they aren't asleep within 30 minutes or so, if it would still help. Will discuss at upcoming 4 yo well check.
Also - welcome to board and i too find comfort here and good info!
Thanks ladies!!
Wendy (ds4, dd9)
My David has had trouble falling asleep since the day he was born. As an infant, he hardly napped at all, and was still wanting to play at 10 pm. I wish someone had told us about melatonin (and the fact that it isn't a drug, and you can get it at Trader Joe's) ages ago. David is 8, and we give him half of a 500 mcg tablet each night.
I never knew what an appropriate dosage was, so I just figured half a tablet. If I'm not mistaken, 250 mcg is .25 mg. Am I right? It doesn't make him sleepy, exactly...he's often still awake at 10, reading or talking, despite all my efforts. If he doesn't get it, then when he's lying in bed, and we've completed our routine, etc., just when he ought to be drifting off, he suddenly starts shouting weird things, or jumping manically on his bed, and CAN'T control himself. He's done this, or an age-appropriate version of it, his whole life, every single day, except when we've given him melatonin. As you can imagine, bedtime has always been a stressful event, especially back when we didn't know what was going on. I love melatonin with all my heart. LOL!
Jane,
I was just thinking. If it's only in the past couple of weeks: What changed?
My guess is the light. The days are getting longer now, and it is brighter in the evenings. I used to have this provblem with my DD in the summertime. She
visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
Paula,
I think you're right on about the light being a factor. We don't have the greatest shades in his room and I am going to try that. I also think the last month of school for him was extremely stressful for him - he just could not settle himself down enough to fall asleep. So I tried melatonin and he fell asleep within 20 minutes the first night (as opposed to 2 or even 3 hours!)
So he falls asleep great - sleeps all night.. but now gets up too early! Shades might help that...now if I can get the darn birds to quit singing in the morning we would be set!
Jane
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