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A MyAutismTeam Member asked a question 💭
Philadelphia, PA

Hello. My son Elias is 4 1/2 and is diagnosed with ASD. He has ALWAYS had sleeping and eating issues. One of our biggest issues right now is he is waking up around 3-4am and won't oh back to sleep.

1. He is requesting pediasure during night. This is a horrible habit we are trying to break

2. We try getting into his bed to have him fall back to sleep. No luck. He usually only wants me and won't let me sleep. He will talk loud or want to go downstairs.

3 we can't ignore him because he will go… read more

October 6, 2013
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Answer Summary

Members rallied around a parent struggling with their 4-year-old son with ASD who wakes between 3-4am and refuses to go back to sleep, a... Read more

Members rallied around a parent struggling with their 4-year-old son with ASD who wakes between 3-4am and refuses to go back to sleep, a common challenge in the autism community that leaves families exhausted. Many members shared that melatonin was a game-changer for helping their children fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, with some recommending starting with 3mg an hour before bedtime and purchasing quality brands from stores like GNC or Vitamin Shoppe, though a few noted their children eventually became immune to its effects. A recurring theme was the importance of consulting with pediatricians or developmental specialists, ruling out possible food sensitivities or yeast issues, and recognizing that while sleep struggles are incredibly hard, many families found improvement over time with patience and persistence.

A MyAutismTeam Member

Ditto to the melatonin..my son was placed on it at age 5 (3 mg) by his pediatrician..I would buy the one that is at the vitamin shoppe or GNC since they could tell you if it is safe for kids or not. It is natural and it helped mine stay sleep. Takes a while to kick in so I would give it to him an hour before bedtime.

October 6, 2013
A MyAutismTeam Member

@A MyAutismTeam Member once NiNi became immune to melatonin. His developmental pediatrics team switch him to one Bendadryl tablet (25 mg) before bedtime to help him stay asleep.

October 7, 2013 (edited)
A MyAutismTeam Member

Sounds like food allergies and yeast! The 3/4 am wake up calls can be solved with dairy free, yeast treatment (low carb sugar, probiotics and anti-fungals!) might try melatonin , but for sure gf/cf would be my go to treatment!

October 7, 2013
A MyAutismTeam Member

We have also fought this battle for some time and I also had a baby...it sucks:( we had a sleep study done and met with top sleep drs and nothing worked...we did melatonin for a long time but eventually she became immune it just made it worse. ..she's now almost 5 ansd most nights sleeps thru sometime wakes 3-5amish but I leave her she will eventually go back out. ..the more I hear its very common with children on the spectrum...hang in there and talk to someone...ask for help

October 7, 2013
A MyAutismTeam Member

Consider melatonin. Lots of studies on it with respect to ASD showing - sleep sooner, sleep longer and more calm next day. We use daily. It is also a good antioxidant.

October 6, 2013

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