Why can't my autistic child sleep

Autistic children often have difficulties with sleeping due to various reasons. It could be due to overstimulation 

Environmental overstimulation

Their Brain Won’t Hit the "Off" Switch

Ordinary environments can feel overwhelming to autistic children. Generator noise, heat, and inconsistent power common in Nigeria worsens this. 

Imagine trying to sleep while someone blares a radio, flickers a flashlight, and pokes you every few minutes. A ceiling fan’s hum, scratchy pajama tags, or even the smell of mosquito repellent can keep their senses on high alert.  

A 2022 study in Lagos University Teaching Hospital found that sensory sensitivities were the top sleep disruptor for autistic children in urban areas.  

Behavioural shaping

Many autistic kids miss subtle body cues for tiredness. They might not feel sleepy until they’re suddenly exhausted, leading to erratic cycles.  

Medical - Disrupted sleep wake cycle

Difficulty in sleeping could be due to a number of medical reasons, but the commonest is often a disrupted circadian rhythm. Our bodies usually have an internal clock that gives us a fairly good idea of mornings and nights based on our activity levels and light exposure. This clock is also responsible for the release of hormones that maintain and support those activity levels. When this is disrupted, children are left awake at night when they should be sleeping and asleep when they should be awake.

Low melatonin levels: Melatonin is the hormone that helps you sleep. 

Autistic brains often produce less melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep cycles. Some research suggests their bodies release it at the wrong times, like a broken internal clock. So while other kids yawn at 8 PM, yours might be wide awake until 3 AM. The reason for this disparity is not clearly known, but its impacts on the sleeping time and sleeping quality of autistic children has been studied by the…

Fear of sleeping alone

This is not limited to autistic children, but their fear of sleeping alone persists longer than their non-autistic playmates. That shadow on the wall? A monster. The silence? Terrifying. Autistic children often have a rigid pattern of thinking that makes their fears appear inescapable. In Nigerian households where co-sleeping is typical, separation anxiety and bedtime becomes a battleground.  

How can I help my child sleep

Turn Their Bedroom Into a Sensory Sanctuary

Autistic children are more sensitive to their environments, the noise, lighting, textures and views can make it difficult to feel relaxed or sleepy.  They also find it difficult to deal with transitions and may have trouble transitioning from being awake and alert to falling asleep. You can help them along by creating a cozy, safe and sensory friendly environment that eliminates sensory disturbances and encourages relaxation.

For lighting, swap harsh bulbs for warm, dim lights (or try a Himalayan salt lamp). To eliminate distracting sounds, a cheap table fan can mask outdoor noise. For extreme sensitivity, white noise machines work wonders (or you could use a free white noise app).  Let them pick pajamas and bed sheets. Making sure that they're very comfortable with their choices. Cotton beats synthetic fabrics, especially in this heat.  Some autistic kids hate strong scents, so some favoured scents can provide some olfactory comfort.

Make sure their bed is comfortable and that their bedroom is conducive

Your child might not be sleeping well if their bed is uncomfortable, dirty or their bedroom is oddly distracting. Ensure their mattress is supportive, their pillow is the right height, and their space is tidy.

Factors like this could make it difficult for your child to fall asleep. By adjusting them, we can help create a more suitable environment until tomorrow.

Address their fears

If your child is afraid of sleeping alone, gradual desensitization helps. Start by sitting beside their bed until they fall asleep, then slowly increase the distance over time. Nightlights, comforting bedtime stories, or a favorite stuffed animal can also ease anxiety. For persistent fears, cognitive-behavioral strategies like "monster spray" (water in a spray bottle) to ward off"

 imaginary creatures can be surprisingly effective.

Establish bedtime routines:

Bedtime routines are activities that wrap up the day and help your child get to sleep faster. It should be relaxing but consistent and could be anything from a warm shower, completing assignments, story telling, folklores, rhyming, recitations and tucking into bed afterwards. The aim is to do this at a particular time each day and get them accustomed to this routine such that they don't protest each

Sure it might be more difficult if you're just starting out, however it becomes better with time.

Get them excited about sleeping

The most sustainable way to promote healthy sleeping habits in the long term is to get them excited about sleeping. Create a sleep time schedule and a sleep reward chart where they earn stickers for staying in bed or falling asleep independently. Small rewards, like choosing breakfast the next morning, can motivate them. Over time, they’ll associate bedtime with positive feelings rather than stress.

Keep track of their sleep

Keeping track of their sleep helps identify patterns and easily spot deviations. You can do this by keeping a sleep diary or journal. In your sleep journal note what time they fell asleep, how many times they woke up, possible triggers (e.g., noise, a late nap)

This data can reveal patterns and help adjust strategies accordingly.

Model what you want to achieve

Children learn eighty percent of the time from observing those around them. They're very quick to copy behaviours both good and bad. Having the best bedtime routine and not sticking to it yourself creates conflict in their minds and encourages the same habit. To avoid this, model the sleep behaviour you want to achieve, the routine and the timing until it becomes a habit for everyone.