Autism / Autism Spectrum Support Group

Has anyone suggested NOT removing all the stimuli or changing anything? Because the changes MIGHT contribute to the insomnia?

Just a possibility :-)

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU---All so much, things have been really hard the last few weeks- he just needs everything to calm down. So his sleeping is getting better and then he had to leave to go to grandma's for the week- he left this morning and I am so worried about him not being able to sleep- but he is with his grnadma and she loves him and will try her best to help him adjust. I tried several of your guys ideas and things were working- he crashed the other day for over 14 hours and then within 8 hours went back to sleep.
Anyway just wanted to say thankyou so much for helping me and my son- everytime things get tough I know i can turn to this site for help and you all have helped us a lot.

Too much sleep is almost as bad as not enough . I would not let him sleep more than say 9 hours. Try to keep him on a schedule and routine as much as possible. . as far a changes go .Do it slowly and maybe change one thing at a time.

Just getting back to the weight blankets I sleep with two blankets otherwise I can't sleep for me its a physiological thing. Without weighted blankets I don't sleep for at least 48 hours. I generally only get 3 hours per night and have been that way since at least age 6.

Clonadine is the only thing that puts Ette to sleep....he would go days without sleeping...and I just couldnt do it....he seemed so happy and full of energy 24 hours a day....and I was dying.....we tried Melatonin...didnt care for it But the Clonadine works great.....good luck....

If your son has been diagnosed with Asperger's, he has a co-occurring neurological issue with panic and anxiety as well. These recommendations apply to Aspies only.

These two are a package deal based on damage to the Purkinje axon and this neuron's tendency to trigger HPA axis excitability. Medications will not subdue him and will only cause further damage.

You have to induce night sleep for several days to get him back to normal. Use OTC Melatonin and start his a 3 mg and steadily increase nightly to up to 100mg until the stuff works, then ask your doctor to prescribe it at the dose that puts him to sleep at night. it comes in 3mg tablets which are difficult to manage when medicating. You will need tablets that get the dose across in one pill. Also, no food after 5-6pm, and you should try to get him programmed for bed at 8pm w/o distractions. He needs lots of sleep to cope with his panic issues.

Ausies typically do not have more in their bedrooms than interests them, unless a parent has overindulged them in toys and the like. Their interests are highly specialized, so while an extensive Hot Wheels collection would be correct, a collection of a variety of different types of toys would not be.

Be aware that Aspies panic can manifest as hyperglycemia. In this state, a doctor will diagnose any number of mental health issues unrelated to his medical needs. Mood altering drugs do not correct this problem, insulin treatment does, but you have to be a bear to get it, that is if his symptoms progress past sleeplessness.

One more thing, Aspies can not process negativity or coercion, period. If he has an IEP, you need to convene a meeting and have this written into his BSP.

Hi coastx
What is the insulin treatment that you talked about in your post... sounds interesting.

I still have a lot of sleeping problems nut running 2 miles does help, take your son to to a gym or park later in the day.

My son is six but has always had sleeping issues. Our Neurologist prescribed Clonidine, it's main use is to treat blood pressure but is also used for many other problems. It has worked well for him and I don't have the worry of possible addiction like so many other sleep aids.