Why don't children with autism sleep at night, and what can be done about it?
Jun 02, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhu Gang
Introduction
Autistic children may have trouble sleeping at night due to anxiety, sensory sensitivities, specific behavioral patterns, or other reasons. These issues can be improved through general treatments or medication. Other possible causes include dietary factors, excessive daytime sleep, or delayed sleep phase syndrome. If a child experiences sleep problems, parents are advised to promptly consult a healthcare professional for guidance.
Autistic children may have difficulty sleeping at night due to anxiety, sensory sensitivities, specific behavioral patterns, and other reasons. These issues can be improved through general interventions or medication. The specific causes are analyzed as follows:
1. Anxiety
Individuals with autism often experience anxiety and emotional difficulties, which can negatively affect sleep quality. They may feel uneasy, fearful, or sad, making it difficult to fall asleep or causing frequent awakenings during the night. Parents should communicate regularly with their child and provide emotional reassurance.
2. Sensory Sensitivities
People with autism are often hypersensitive to certain sensory stimuli such as sounds, lights, or smells, which may interfere with sleep. It is important to create a quiet and calming sleep environment. Drinking a glass of warm milk before bedtime or soaking feet in warm water may also help promote better sleep.
3. Specific Behavioral Patterns
Individuals with autism often display particular interests and repetitive behaviors. Some children may become more excited and active at night, making it hard to fall asleep. Others may engage in repetitive actions such as head-shaking or pacing back and forth, which can disrupt sleep. In severe cases, medications such as sulpiride tablets or haloperidol tablets may be used under a doctor's guidance to help alleviate symptoms.
In addition to the above, sleep problems may also stem from dietary factors, excessive daytime napping, or delayed sleep phase syndrome. If a child experiences persistent sleep difficulties, parents are advised to promptly consult a healthcare professional for a comprehensive physical and psychological evaluation. This helps identify the exact cause of the sleep disturbance and allows for the development of a personalized treatment plan—including behavioral therapy, medication, and environmental adjustments—to restore healthy sleep patterns and support the child’s overall physical and mental development.
