One of my ASD children also has trouble sleeping and she's 11. We've found a few things that work at different times, though no one has always worked until recently. Believe me, I completely understand. On her off days (which has finally gotten down to 2 a week as opposed to 7), she doesn't sleep at all. We did discover JUST TWO months ago that she doesn't like to be alone in a room at night (not even with her sister in there asleep). She is afraid to be alone, something I've found to be common in ASD.

I do use a combination of Melatonin and chamomile tea (she loves it, thankfully) as well as essential oils...lavender and roman chamomile are the main ingredients of the versions I use. I also have her sit on her bed for 30 minutes with the lights on, doing something soothing. After that, it's lay down time with just a little nightlight or hall light with the door ajar. I go in to her room and sit with her for about 5 minutes. I tell her I'll be back in a couple minutes. 2 minutes later I come back for 2 minutes...no talking is allowed and she must stay lying down in her bed the whole time. I leave for 3 minutes and I return for 2. If she is playing I tell her I can't come back in until she's quiet for 3 minutes. I leave, for 4 minutes,back for 2, 5 minutes and back for 2 and so on until she falls asleep. Eventually, she will fall asleep and it's gotten down to where instead fo 3 am, she falls asleep around midnight or earlier now. It's not completely 8 hrs, but it's a lot better than it used to be. Not sure if it will work, but it's what we do.

HUGS!!

Thanks everyone for taking the tIme to give me suggestions! Will try everything!!

I am will have to bring up so of ur suggestions at her next visit. Thank you so much JillV

I found a non profit that does weighted blankets for children with ASD and they only charge shipping which is $15. There is a waiting list but they said my blanket is scheduled to be made in Sept or Oct. Here's the link if anyone wants to check it out, I'm not affiliated in any way just passing on the info. http://www.weightedcomfortforkids.org/#!about_u...

@A MyAutismTeam Member, I'm happy to hear your progress with your 11yr old. Our daughter is 8 and she has the same issue with being afraid to be alone. She's afraid to be alone in a room during the day too. Her and her sister share a bedroom but it doesn't help having her sister in there. If she's not sleeping with me or my husband she'll wake up. We've started a natural sleep aid which helps her fall asleep but she still needs me to sit with her while she falls asleep. I'm hopeful it will get better as she gets older and hoping the weighted blanket helps!

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A MyAutis...

Have you tried doing a massage? Massage is so good for my son, his OT recommended I do that for him every night and he loves it and sleeps so good. It takes time at the end of the week you should see a difference. And if you don't have a waited blanket I recommend pillows, heavier blankets etc just something to make her feel pressure not alone. Tucked in comfy, so if she moves she still feels something. I hope it helps.