Autism and Sleep Disorders

It is not uncommon to find individuals with an autism spectrum disorder who also have sleep difficulties. This holds true among children, adolescents, and adults on the spectrum. There may be different causes for the sleep difficulties, but there are certain interventions used to help those with autism get a night of restful sleep.

Weighted Blanket

A weighted blanket is simply a custom-made blanket that has been filled with a specific material that gives the blanket added weight. The choice of filler varies by manufacturer; some common choices are poly-pellets, sand, beans, and river rocks. The deep pressure provided by the weighted blanket helps to calm the individual allowing his body to relax and subsequently sleep is induced.

Blankets can be made in a variety of sizes and weights. A common formula for determining the ideal weight is 10% of the person’s weight plus one pound. A 100 pound person’s ideal weighted blanket would be filled with 11 pounds of filler. A word of warning, some weighted blankets were made with lead inserts; it is imperative that you do not purchase these products as lead is a known toxin.

White Noise

According to purewhitenoise.com “white noise contains equal frequencies of all sounds. Research has shown that a steady, monotonous stream of the same peaceful sound, such as white noise, can filter and mask distracting noises. This gentle continuous sound promotes a calm mood to help you relax and/or fall asleep.”

Individuals with autism typically have accompanying sensory processing disorder; their brains do not process sensory input in an efficient manner. A white noise machine drowns out the surrounding sounds and allows the person to concentrate on one set of sounds.

Melatonin

Melatonin is a natural substance that the human body produces which helps to induce sleep. It is suspected that individuals with autism that have sleep difficulties are deficient in melatonin production. By supplementing with melatonin, the body is able to enter a state of sleep in a more natural manner. Melatonin is available over-the-counter in grocery, health food, and drug stores.

Heavy Work Activities

Another way to help promote a healthy sleep pattern among individuals with an autism spectrum disorder is to participate in heavy work activities in the evening. Heavy work activities work to calm and organize the sensory system. This increased self-regulation lessens the chance that extraneous sensory input will disrupt sleep.

These four ideas for helping solve sleep difficulties in individuals with autism are easy to implement and many parents and caregivers see great results. It is important to note that melatonin is a health supplement and it is suggested that you speak to your healthcare provider to discuss the topic in more detail.

Sources:

Purewhitenoise.com

An Autistic Child Sleeps Under a Weighted Blanket.

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