Its a constant struggle to achieve sleep when a loved one has Autism. Either they don't go to sleep right away, they wake up in the middle of the night, or they wake up very early in the morning. We are lucky that Aiden sleeps a full eight hours, but he does not go to sleep until 11 every night. He is put to bed around 9, for consistency sake, but actually achieving sleep is a different story. Aiden sleeps well in his own room, but sleeps significantly better and longer when he sleeps with his parents. So what's the big deal? His little sister goes to sleep every night by 8 and is up twice a night for a diaper change and a bottle until she wakes up around 7 or 8 in the morning. So being a parent to Aiden means you go to bed around 11:30 or midnight, wake up about 4 hours later, and then up again in another 3-4 hours for the day. Needless to say, we're tired and most parents of children with Autism are.
Sleep difficulties occur is as much as 80% of children with Autism, according to Autism Speaks. Many behavioral issues arise when sleep struggles are present. Medical issues may contribute to these sleep abnormalities. Early research studies indicate there maybe atypical development of the area of the brain that regulates sleep in children with ASD. In depth studies are in the process of determining hormonal levels that contribute to sleep, such as melatonin. Other medical issues such as epilepsy, reflux, anxiety, and depression can also disrupt sleep.
In 2013 Health Day published an article outlining research studies in relation to sleeping and Autism, originally published by the Archives of Disease in Childhood. English researchers analyzed data from approximately 14,000 children born in 1991-1992. Their parents answered questions about their children's sleep patterns from the time they were 6 months old, until approximately 11.5 years of age. Of the children involved in this study 86 were diagnosed with ASD. The researchers found that before 2.5 years of age there was no difference in sleep patterns between those with ASD and their typical peers. However, after 2.5 years of age researchers found that children with ASD sleep approximately 43 minutes less in total, than typical children. This sleep gap tends to shorten as the children grow, until their teens. Researchers discovered the sleep differences between typical children and children with ASD appear to be due to frequent bouts of waking during the night, something parents know all to well. Children with Autism wake up approximately three or more times a night and this only occurred more frequently, in this study, as children aged.
In 2014 Treat Autism and ADHD published an article estimating that 83% of children with ASD are impacted by a sleep disorder. Researchers with the Arkansas Children's Research Institute discovered that approximately 90% of children diagnosed with Autism have methylation impairments. This kind of impairment can change the production of brain chemicals, such as serotonin. Serotonin is a vital neurotransmitter needed to achieve sleep, wince it is converted into melotonin with the help of vitamin D. Approximately 90% of serotonin comes from the gastrointestinal tract and 85% of children with ASD have digestive issues. Vitamin D deficiency is a well known problem in Autism research. Magnesium is also necessary to achieve sleep and sleep maintenance. Children with Autism and ADHD commonly have lower magnesium levels that typical children. For more about Autism and Vitamins, please see our blog on the topic. Unhealthy sleep cycles can substantially impact mental and physical development. Children with developmental concerns have a higher risk of developing sleep disorders.
In 2012 SFARI published an article: Melatonin Relieves Sleep Problems in Autism. A sleep study published in the Journal of Sleep Research found that children with Autism experience less time in rapid eye movement phase of sleep. Lack of sleep can cause behavioral problems and slow healthy brain development. Citing a 2009 study, the article discussed the low levels of melatonin found in the blood and urine of children with ASD. Melatonin is a naturally produced hormone and children with ASD may carry a genetic variant in the enzyme that produces melatonin from serotonin.
So is melatonin the answer? To some yes. We find that when we give melatonin to Aiden at 8pm, he is out by 8:30pm. Which is wonderful until he wakes up at 1am and does not go back to sleep until 6am. Some families do not experience what we do with melatonin. Melatonin for them is the answer that it is not for us. That is a perfect example of the diversity of Autism. But what does the science say?
Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone in the body. When you start supplementing your body with anything it naturally makes there is a risk that the body will stop producing it. Melatonin is available over the counter. There are warnings when giving children melatonin. Please consult your doctor when considering this option for your child. Also, please read this informative article from America Now: Physicians Warn Against Giving Melatonin to Children.
So what can you do?
In 2013 Health Day published an article outlining research studies in relation to sleeping and Autism, originally published by the Archives of Disease in Childhood. English researchers analyzed data from approximately 14,000 children born in 1991-1992. Their parents answered questions about their children's sleep patterns from the time they were 6 months old, until approximately 11.5 years of age. Of the children involved in this study 86 were diagnosed with ASD. The researchers found that before 2.5 years of age there was no difference in sleep patterns between those with ASD and their typical peers. However, after 2.5 years of age researchers found that children with ASD sleep approximately 43 minutes less in total, than typical children. This sleep gap tends to shorten as the children grow, until their teens. Researchers discovered the sleep differences between typical children and children with ASD appear to be due to frequent bouts of waking during the night, something parents know all to well. Children with Autism wake up approximately three or more times a night and this only occurred more frequently, in this study, as children aged.
In 2014 Treat Autism and ADHD published an article estimating that 83% of children with ASD are impacted by a sleep disorder. Researchers with the Arkansas Children's Research Institute discovered that approximately 90% of children diagnosed with Autism have methylation impairments. This kind of impairment can change the production of brain chemicals, such as serotonin. Serotonin is a vital neurotransmitter needed to achieve sleep, wince it is converted into melotonin with the help of vitamin D. Approximately 90% of serotonin comes from the gastrointestinal tract and 85% of children with ASD have digestive issues. Vitamin D deficiency is a well known problem in Autism research. Magnesium is also necessary to achieve sleep and sleep maintenance. Children with Autism and ADHD commonly have lower magnesium levels that typical children. For more about Autism and Vitamins, please see our blog on the topic. Unhealthy sleep cycles can substantially impact mental and physical development. Children with developmental concerns have a higher risk of developing sleep disorders.
In 2012 SFARI published an article: Melatonin Relieves Sleep Problems in Autism. A sleep study published in the Journal of Sleep Research found that children with Autism experience less time in rapid eye movement phase of sleep. Lack of sleep can cause behavioral problems and slow healthy brain development. Citing a 2009 study, the article discussed the low levels of melatonin found in the blood and urine of children with ASD. Melatonin is a naturally produced hormone and children with ASD may carry a genetic variant in the enzyme that produces melatonin from serotonin.
So is melatonin the answer? To some yes. We find that when we give melatonin to Aiden at 8pm, he is out by 8:30pm. Which is wonderful until he wakes up at 1am and does not go back to sleep until 6am. Some families do not experience what we do with melatonin. Melatonin for them is the answer that it is not for us. That is a perfect example of the diversity of Autism. But what does the science say?
Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone in the body. When you start supplementing your body with anything it naturally makes there is a risk that the body will stop producing it. Melatonin is available over the counter. There are warnings when giving children melatonin. Please consult your doctor when considering this option for your child. Also, please read this informative article from America Now: Physicians Warn Against Giving Melatonin to Children.
So what can you do?
- Set a schedule that promotes sleep. Children with ASD thrive on routine. We turn out the lights in the house around 9. Aiden will sit and watch a movie or TV, something calm.
- Consider burning essential oils like lavender and chamomile around bed time. Some people say it really helps them calm and eventually fall asleep. Also consider putting essential oils on the wrists of bottom of the feet. Here is a link on essential oils.
- For young children turn on a night light. Consider black out curtains in your child's room.
- Try a weighted blanket. Children with ASD like the weight and there are deep muscle stimulation studies in relation to the use of weighted blankets.
- A warm bath can be helpful when incorporated into bed time routines.
- Be sure the children get a snack between dinner and bed time. Something small and easy to digest, peanut butter crackers for instance.
Good luck! Sleep issues are always frustrating, but I have been told by other parents with older children that it does get better.
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