New here-Need help with sleepWelcome to the boards. I also agree that the change in the house with the new baby probably has a lot to do with it. Also the sensory advice was good. My dd has always been a terrible sleeper, sometimes waking in the middle of the night just ready to go! I was told be her OT that it was probably sensory related and that she had a hard time calming her body. Have tried lots of different things - sometimes they work and sometimes they don't unfortunately. Set routine at night (for sure), calming oils, some kind of lights (like a lava lamp) for them to focus on, rocking, soft music, warm baths before bed, etc. I try to do a brushing protocol with her at night (ask your OT about that!) and it helps. I found that with Jessie, cutting out her naps never guaranteed a better sleep at night even though it seems it would. You might just have to experiment with that one! My dd turned 3 in Aug and we're also starting to phase out the naps......and oh how I miss them! Anyway, good luck with the sleeping AND the new baby! I, too, have a strong feeling it's related to the new baby. He probably feels like he's missing out on something. I second Danyell's advice to "cut out the naps". You need to get him to sleep at night for now. good luck!!First, congratulations on the baby and WELCOME to the board. I would agree that it's related to your new addition. I've found that our kiddos respond best to rewards. Rewards can be as simple as verbal praise. When he first gets into bed, praise him like crazy - over the top praising in a really excited voice. "WOW! I love how you got into bed. That makes me so proud when you go to sleep. Good job! Look at you in your bed. Excellent!" You may feel silly at first but my guy really responds to this. Also, I agree that maybe you should explain the new situation. "Babies sleep at funny times but Aidan sleeps at night." First...Grats on the baby and welcome to the board.
Second...I agree with the idea that the new baby could be playing a big part in the refusal to sleep. I had the same issue with Shawn when Angel was born. We did not have a dx at the time so it was especially frustrating because I knew something was off, but didn't have anywhere to turn for help. I now have a set routine for bed time that all the kids follow to some degree. We get a snack roughly 30 minutes before bed (gets rid of the "I'm hungry" mantra), we get a drink with snack (He loves decaf herbal tea, cider, and cocoa), and a story. When the story is over it is bed time. If he complains about being hungry I remind him that he just ate; if he complains that he is bored I tell him that he can play in the morning; if he says he isn't tired I tell him to lie down and close his eyes...he doesn't have to sleep, he just has to close his eyes and lie quietly for 20 minutes. He is usually out long before the 20 minutes is over. It doesn't always work and if his schedule has been disrupted it is a struggle to get him to bed, but we can usually come to an agreement.
Another idea would be to use pictures to show the routine, explain about babies sleeping schedules and his schedule, and above all...try to remain calm...anger does not compute to him, it only works to frustrate you.
Hope this helps. Welcome to the forum. Sleep problems are pretty common in kids with autism. My oldest son has had a variety of sleep problems -- from frequent startling sleeping on his back as an infant, to night terrors as a toddler, to problems falling asleep now at age 9. He still comes to us in the middle of the night, almost every night. I think it's pretty likely that the new baby is a factor in the new sleep problems. New noises, new family dynamics, new routines can all contribute to a heightened stress or arousal level that makes it harder to sleep. Here is my collection of online sleep resources, with lots of good expert advice on sleep problems in children with autism. The usual advice for "crying it out," etc. might work for typical families, but tends not to be very helpful for parents in our situation. http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=19894&am p;KW=sleep+resources Good luck with everything. It may not be a disipline issue. He may think-hey this baby comes along and can sleep and stay up when ever she wants. I want to do that too. Maybe you should try explaining big brother duties and how babies learn and grow. My non verbal son had some issues with my son when he was born a year ago. I asked what I should do, and someone said-have you explained how families work and why the baby is here? I felt really dumb. I hadn't really told him what to expect. Just because they can't ask questions, doesn't mean they don't have them.Hi,
My name is Christine. My son Aidan will be 3 on Jan 31st and was diagnosed as PDD-NOS. He says a few words but he is still mostly nonverbal. I have an older son who is almost 8 and a newborn baby girl who is 7 weeks old. Up until the last month, we had not had any real problems with Aidan. But now, he is giving us a hard time taking naps and going to sleep at night. He kicks his door or he runs around his room or plays. He also puts the light on. We've taken all of his toys out of his room except for two stuffed animals to sleep with. When we go in an yell at him to get back into bed he just smiles or laughs. He really doesn't seem to understand that we are angry with him. I hve heard in the past that autistic children have sleep problems. But can that happen out of nowhere even if they were perfect sleepers for practically the first three years of their lives? We don't know what to do to get past allof this. I don't know if this is related to having to deal with a newborn baby sister and he is just acting out. Even when he bangs on his door with his feet, you can hear him giggling. What type of discipline is appropriate for kids on the spectrum? Aidan gets OT and speech through early intervention. I've asked their psychologist and I didn't really get an anwer. it seems that most of the pediatricians don't really know what to do either. His ped told me he is probably outgrowing his naps but I disagree. He is very tired during the daytime and he will still give us trouble on days he doesn't get a nap. Sometimes this behavior goes on for an hour or two. I'm at my wits end. I appreciate any thoughts or advice.
Thanks, Christine congrat on the new baby I have a DD 28 month that was a ok sleeper and at 18 months stopped and disapline has NEVER worked with her she only laughs even when danger is involved like hot.She doesn't get/have empathy so us being mad at her is only funny - us being sad mean nothing - her hurting us =nothing but more laughter. I don't believe she could learn from punishment in our case. she is also pdd-nos The only way I can get her to nap is to drive her in the car - and for night time we have had to involve meds. I fought this for a long time but she was only sleeping 3 hours in 24 hours and this went on for months. I also have a new baby so we needed to find sleep. If I was in your spot I might try two things one heavy sensory play a couple hours before nap and bed time - ot should be able to help you . And I would look into melitonin it is very safe and might help calm him for sleep - but look it up and ask your drug store till you feel cool with it. they sell it at Walgreen and walmart.
wishing you sleep melatonin Thanks to everyone for your awesome advice! I think the main thing is for me to try and remain calm. When I go past Aidan's room and I see the light on and can hear him jumping around, it really makes my blood boil. My OT said to do some sensory things before bed like rocking, bouncing or jumping followed by some calm fine motor activities like coloring. Then I should read a book to him. I have to try and not go in his room. I think the more I go in and say something to him(or yell) the worse he gets. I definitely will be ordering some melatonin. Christine
We actually just started my son on melatonin last night. We are giving him the liquid form and we put it in his juice right before bed. We gave it to him about 6:50 and about 7:20 he was actually calm sitting on the couch. This never happens. At that time usually he is running around the house like a chicken with his head cut off and his bedtime is usually 7:30-8:00 . When he was in his room he was usually kicking and hitting the wall or door with his hotwheels while laughing hysterical or screaming til 11 or so. . Well last night we ended up putting him to bed at 7:25, and he talked for about 10 minutes thats it we were shocked.
Were hoping it works the same way tonight :) I know the feeling on hoping they dont wake up the others kids to. We have a 15 month old and he has woken up a couple times because of it :( |
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