Sleeping issues - Autism Spectrum Message Board

QuirkyMotherOf2 · 02-06-2005, 10:14 PM

Hello everyone, ds is having problems going to bed. It seems he manipulates my dh into giving him juice whenever he wants it and DH gives in. And he gets up at the crack of dawn as well. And dh stays up late so I am expected to get up with him. I do give him Melatonin, 2 mg, is that enough? When dh is gone, (Navy) I have no problems getting him into bed and up at a decent hour for school. I don't know how to get dh to understand that ds is taking advantage of him. I Know Autistic kids have sleeping problems, but why is it he only gets sleep with me putting him to bed? Seems like dh is giving in to him. Ds sees a psychatrist, would a sleep aid help? Even 2 mg. of melatonin doesn't seem to help much. Thanks for any insight!

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rids · 02-08-2005, 07:53 AM

Stop buying juice if that is what is causing the issues between you, DH & DS. Juice is high in sugar- even 100% ( was just in a major paper yesterday) and high in phenols, yeasts and molds. A diet free of artificials,dyes and preservatives- low sugar and plenty of whole foods should help with sleep;. Digestive enzymes, Feingold diet, GFCF are all valid options singularly, and combined.
C-GA

glsmom · 02-08-2005, 12:55 PM

My daughter is the master of manipulating bed time and I am embarassed she sometimes has me dancing around like a monkey before I realize it. No one ever said these kids were not extreamly smart. But we started a bedtime ritual with clear boundries so she knows what to expect. I give her a cup with about 1/4 cup potato milk after she drinks this she knows she can only have water. She still likes to sleep with a movie (I know how terrible this is) But the rule is once we have said prayers and good night any additional request are met with a warning that the next request will result in the Movie being turned off. I follow through even though when this happens I know we are in for a terrible fit sometimes but that warning is something she knows will really happen so we don't have to many bad nights. This ritual is the same no matter who puts her to bed myself my husband (who is also away alot army) or the baby sitter. She sometimes wakes very early but we told her to play quietly in her room until we wake up sometimes she does sometimes she doesn't fortunately this isn't so often.

lilmermaid · 02-10-2005, 10:22 AM

Quote:

When dh is gone, (Navy) I have no problems getting him into bed and up at a decent hour for school.

That statement stands out to me...maybe it's a separation anxiety type issue. My DH isn't in the military, but he used to travel quite a bit for his job, and my son always had a hard time with that (he's very much a daddy's boy). I'm just thinking out loud here. I know how frustrating it is! ((hug))

We had to stop giving my son melatonin because he has eczema and very sensitive skin, and the melatonin exacerbated that. But when we were using melatonin (up until about 6 months ago), our ped recommend 3 mg. pills. They worked really well.

Good luck!