How to Help a Child With Autism Sleep
- Create Consistent Routine
- Use “Back to Bed”
This is still effective today with my son who is now ten years old, and we started using this strategy when he was a toddler. He recently went through major schedule changes. He responded by avoiding going to sleep. We used the “Back to Bed” method for a few nights, and he’s right back on a regular sleep schedule.
I learned this method from a fellow teacher when Ryan was four years old. I’d mentioned to her that he was staying up all night, banging his head against the wall out of frustration. I took turns with his father to stay up with him, try to prevent him from hurting himself, and to fall asleep, but nothing seemed to help. We were up all night for many nights, distressed at our child’s self harm, and still each having work the next day and caring for our first child, as well.
The teacher asked, “Have you tried ‘back to bed'”?
The first couple nights are the most difficult. I sat outside the room for hours. My son kept testing the new boundary. I followed the instructions given to me to say “Back to Bed” every time he tried to leave the room, and if needed, physically guide or carry him back to bed until he’d finally fall asleep.
I didn’t do anything else, like hugging, or saying anything else, no more stories or songs, or attention of any kind; only “Back to Bed” and what’s needed to get him to follow that direction.
When you try this; apply it consistently. Catch every attempt to leave his room, so he learns to respect the boundary.
The following nights should get easier, as leaving the bed or room becomes more discouraging. My son, who used to stay up all night, banging his head on the wall and screaming, now can fall asleep easily.
We’ve followed the same bedtime routine since then; help with brusing teeth, he goes potty, gets into bed, we read him a bedtime story, we exchange hugs and kisses, and say good night. We’ve dropped two things we used to do before; singing songs, which he doesn’t like me to do anymore, and putting a calming oil on his feet.
Any time he has trouble falling asleep again, we use the “Back to Bed” again, and it always helps. Once in a blue moon I’ll use the calming oil again, too.
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