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Real members of MyAutismTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
A MyAutismTeam Member asked a question 💭
Tamaqua, PA

My 3-1/2 year old grandson does not want to take a nap. He rubs his eyes and shows other signs of really being tired but he won't nap. He's been taken to his room, covered with his favorite blanket, given his favorite stuffed animal and lullaby music playing but still no sleeping. Often times He's right behind me going back downstairs after I think he's in his bed.

Very rarely he will take a little nap but then that messes up his night sleep. He kicks both legs stimulating himself and often… read more

January 30, 2014
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Answer Summary

Members offered practical advice for helping a restless three-and-a-half-year-old who resists naps and struggles with nighttime sleep, with... Read more

Members offered practical advice for helping a restless three-and-a-half-year-old who resists naps and struggles with nighttime sleep, with many suggesting he may be naturally transitioning out of naps altogether, a stage that often leaves young children overtired during the day but not tired enough at bedtime. Several members recommended low-dose melatonin (ranging from 200 micrograms to 1-3 milligrams) about 30 minutes to an hour before bedtime, emphasizing that it should only be used for nighttime sleep and not naps, and noting that children with autism may produce less melatonin naturally. A recurring theme was the importance of finding what works for each individual child, whether that means flexible nap schedules, supplements like zinc and magnesium, dietary changes such as going gluten-free, or simply riding out the transition until the child's body adjusts on its own.

A MyAutismTeam Member

Try gluten free food, we saw a lot of improvements in my son's sleeping habbits.

February 6, 2014
A MyAutismTeam Member

my son wouldn't take naps often. I let him sleep wherever (chair, couch, car) and whenever. Trying to set up a routine for naps didn't work. At night, before we started other meds, I had to give him Melatonin which helped a lot! I've read that kids with autism don't produce enough melatonin. Hope this helps!

February 1, 2014
A MyAutismTeam Member

Good luck. Our san gave up naps at 15 months and never took a single nap since then. A little after age 4, he adjusted to the lack of naps and never seemed tired again.

The good news is that we started him on low-dose supplements (chewable) of zinc and magnesium, and his night-time sleep increased to almost normal.

February 1, 2014
A MyAutismTeam Member

Melatonin is perfectly safe and has been studied extensively in ASD context. In adult doses upto 1000 mg daily have studied for months. It is a terminal antioxidant with very short half life and giving more doesn't stop the pineal gland to produce its own. Nevertheless for kids, I would stick to small dose (less than 1mg).

February 1, 2014
A MyAutismTeam Member

When my daughter grew out of taking naps at about 4-yrs-old, she started going to bed at 9 every night like clock work.

February 1, 2014

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