Being a parent is a stressful (yet rewarding) job. Not a day goes by that we don’t worry about our kids. If you’re like me, you might have already said a few thousand prayers for your children’s safety and have a few thousand more planned, regardless of how old or grown-up your kids are.
“A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book.” — Irish Proverb.
The luxury of a good night’s rest is out of the question for many parents. Between restless children and worrisome nights, parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may have difficulty falling and staying asleep. Of course, worrying about your children can keep you up at night, but you may very well have good reason to be concerned.
Long and safe sleep is also vital for your child’s health. Autistic children who wander at night will undoubtedly have interrupted sleep and an increased risk of putting themselves in a dangerous situation. In addition, parents can’t be at their child’s side 24/7, so understanding the ins and outs of safe sleeping is essential.
While it’s always beneficial to get professional medical advice for safe sleeping, we want to equip you with the knowledge you need to ensure your Autistic child sleeps safely. So let’s dive into a couple of different facets involving sleep and your child.
You’ve heard it said that we all need eight or more hours of sleep to function correctly. Often, children need greater amounts of sleep as their minds and bodies are going through significant changes. However, when sleep is repeatedly interrupted during these formative years, it can lead to severe health complications down the road, not to mention grumpy kids the next day.
There are three common sleep dangers to watch out for:
Children with ASD already struggle with behavioral issues, sensory sensitivity, and communication. Add on a lack of sleep, and these issues are dramatically heightened. In addition, tiredness is linked to exaggerated ASD symptoms and can make them more irritable, anxious, and sensitive. These symptoms, in turn, impact the entire family.
Insomnia and other sleep disorders are more common in children with ASD compared to children without ASD. These sleep disorders can cause your child to remain awake for several hours at night. Staying awake often leads to the third sleep danger, wandering.
Wandering is quite common for those with autism during the day, but it is also a concern at night. Depending on your child’s age and cognitive level, wandering in the middle of the night can put them in a dangerous position.
Getting sufficient and safe sleep is of vital importance to your child with ASD. It helps to keep your entire family healthy and happy. However, at times it requires additional effort.
Now that we have identified the dangers of sleep let’s focus on practical steps you can take to keep them safe while they are sleeping. Thankfully, there is an abundance of tools and resources to support you with your child’s sleep journey. In addition, speaking with other experienced caretakers who understand your struggles and concerns is practical and helps you see you are not alone.
Curating an effective bedtime routine can help put your child in the mindset and position to get a whole night’s rest. Setting this up can involve going through the practical steps of getting ready for bed while helping your child wind down. For example, some parents have created a visual schedule or introduced calming activities like reading or a massage.
Identifying what helps your child sleep and what keeps versus what is mentally stimulating to them will also make a world of difference.
As a rule of thumb, this means no caffeine or sugar past a set time. Exercise and diet throughout the day also impact your child’s sleep. Screentime is another culprit of mental stimulation. Of course, as their parent and caretaker, you are already aware of the different triggers your child may have.
Creating a quiet and dark environment before bed is especially crucial if your child has sensitivities to light and sound. Blackout curtains in their bedroom and a sound machine might be a good investment. Even the temperature of a room can affect the quality of sleep your child gets.
Your child should see their bed as a place where they sleep. Putting away toys and gadgets will help ensure a positive sleeping environment. Of course, security blankets or stuffed animals will also encourage sleep.
Sleep safe beds have been a literal lifesaver for many families. These customized beds ensure your child is kept secure and protected all night by preventing them from falling or wandering. There are a variety of design formats when selecting an autism safety bed. Rail height, adjustment needs, and your child’s size can all be considered when finding the right bed for them. Incorporating asleep safe be can also help your child to acknowledge their bed as a safe space.
Positive changes in routine and environment often mean involving and educating all the members of your family. For example, siblings can ease the sleep transition by supporting the new bedtime routine and contributing to a quiet space. Everyone in the family will soon see these actions’ benefits for them and their sibling struggling with sleep.
Many parents have invested in bed attachments that prevent the child from falling or wandering off the bed to keep their children safe at night. Take a look at some of our favorite options.
This popup tent is used on top of a bed frame and can fit a twin-size mattress inside. It’s popup feature makes assembly quick and easy and can even be stored and taken on trips. Zipper windows on both sides can quickly transform this tent into a quiet nook during the day or allow for more ventilation during the night. In addition, the taller ceilings help your child feel less restricted.
This privacy tent comes in several mattress sizes, including bunk twin, twin, full, and queen. They also come in unique colors like pink, black, and navy. In addition, Leedor offers two options, one with mosquito net mesh on all sides and one with dark panels. Both offer protection, but the net mesh is ideal for those who might feel constricted in a total enclosed tent. Similar to other models, this bed tent fits the mattress inside.
For a less restricted option, bed rails prevent falling off the bed. Suppose the bed is pushed up against the wall, just one bed rail on the open side. If extra protection is needed, purchasing two rails for either side will offer more support. This rail uses a steel frame for stability with mesh nylon to help keep your child safe.
Alavantor’s bed canopy is ideal for reducing light and getting a better night’s rest. Leaving all sides down will prevent any light from filtering through and interrupting sleep. In addition, all sides on this frame can be rolled up and secured or even partially opened for improved air circulation. Not only will your child be protected, but they will get better sleep thanks to the unique features and comfort of this Avalantor Bed Canopy.
Hiccupup Bumpers are made of soft foam material with silicone undersides to prevent movement throughout the night. When your child leans up against the bumper, it offers a comforting nudge to reassure your child of the boundaries and trigger their safety response. You can insert the bumper underneath the fitted sheets of any bed size. The exterior of the bump can be zipped off, and machine washed. Bumper are so comfortable they have even been used as a body pillow!
It’s not always an easy hill to climb! Don’t get discouraged if your child with autism continues to struggle with their sleep or puts up a hard fight against your new bedtime routine. Instead, incorporate activities and steps that bring them joy; after all, this routine is for them. Once the habit is formed and they feel safe in their surroundings, everyone in your home will be getting a better night’s rest.
Researching and purchasing sleep safe products will help keep your child with autism safe 24/7, which is all a parent can ask and hope for.
If your child continues to have sleep troubles, it might be best to speak with their doctor and see if setting up a consult with a sleep specialist would be beneficial. Sleep can be affected by various medical reasons, but there is also a wide range of solutions, such as medication and therapy.
Learning the best ways to take care of our loved ones is one of the most important things to do. Protecting is one of the main duties of any parent because children are very curious and are always trying to grab things or go places they should not.
As a member of the autism community, I get it — you’re sometimes outright fearful for your child’s safety. If your child has severe autism or PICA symptoms (commonly eating inedible objects like pine cones, dirt, etc.) then sometimes it can seem like almost anything could go wrong!
Some kids with developmental disabilities sometimes have a tendency to run away from home, intentional or not.
What can you do to keep this from happening to you? I compiled a few helpful hints, and tips to keep your child a little more safe while at home:
Children who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are often positively or negatively affected by their environment. For parents and family members, it is important to begin creating a safe and supportive environment for a child immediately after diagnosis.
I really needed to write this article reminding Autism and special needs families that there could be a crisis in our lives at any moment. The type of lives we live we need to heed the warning to be prepared!