As a H.F. Aspie teen, I ended up falling into a 4-8-4-8 sleep-wake cycle, which seemed to work very well. I would sleep from about 4PM till 8ish, then be up for eight hours, then sleep four more, go to school, come home; repeat. I had great anxieties about school, due to bullying, which factored into my sleep problems, but from puberty on, my main problem is that I simply have not had a normal circadian rhythm.

I have tried melatonin, and it helps somewhat. Lavender essential oil is relaxing. The antihistamine that is also used in sleep aid pills like Unisom or Z-Quill is MUCH cheaper if you buy the antihistamine labelled product (which is the exact same dose and medicine). Low-dose Lorazepam (10mg sublingually) also helps, as does a quarter to half dose of Soma (which can end up overmedicating if higher doses are taken). I now avoid Promethazine and Meclazine (anti-emetics with sleep-inducing properties), because they cause me to sleep far too long. They linger in the body, creating in me what I call the 'Promethazombie.' I would be awake, but terribly slow and sleepy all day long, which actually cost me a data entry job - and no, they did not care that I was taking a medicine due to a disabling condition.

Basically, your child will have to figure out what works for him or her, AND meshes with the surrounding world. Sleep disorder complicates work and social schedules for me to this day, but my lack of a normal sleep schedule is just something I have come to accept and live with. I just have to accept that others will NOT accommodate sleepiness nor tardiness. After figuring that out, I was able to better hold employment, and I eventually finished college with two BAs and two minors. I hope this helps you!

Terri you are not a bad parent! I am a single parent , too. I have to pick my battles. Currently, I let my 21 year old sleep but he has to be up by 3 pm. Fighting it was making me crazy!

The biggest problem is the psychiatrist and doctors, I grow tired of telling and explaining that this is part of the spectrum. Every time he goes to the doctor the psychiatrist he asked the same question why aren't you getting any sleep? you need to look into why you're not sleeping, they never ever listen to the parents.

Oh we do Sensory Diet all day long. can include wake up routines to get going and calming at night. I will have a complete sensory gym eventualy in the house. Every piece I added has been worth it wieght in gold!!! and my kids function better and without meds too!!!! @A MyAutismTeam Member If all of this didn't answer your questions let me know :) Happy to share!! I spent 6 years of no sleep to finally find what works for our girls and family!!

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A MyAutis...

my son has missed several months of school because of this. We went to a sleep specialist and he called it Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome. It's actually not that uncommon. There is a pattern that you can use to get her back onto a normal sleep routine. Find a sleep study location near you and get info from them.