As much as 80% of teens and adults with autism claim to have issues with their sleep. These can take on the form of sleepwalking, waking up frequently, or being unable to fall asleep in the first place. The impact of sleep deprivation on emotional wellbeing, academic performance, social relationships, and family dynamics can become extremely severe. Still, there are things that parents can do to help their students if they have been experiencing disrupted sleep patterns for some time. 

Causes

Though the medical world is in complete agreement that there is a correlation between those with autism experiencing sleep issues more frequently than neurotypical people, the exact causes are unknown. Possibilities that have been considered are:

• Failure to understand the social cues associated with sleeping and bedtime 

• Under or overproduction of melatonin at times of the day not associated with sleep 

• Extreme sensitivity to external stimuli, such as noise or light 

• Genetic factors 

• Poor sleep hygiene 

• Drinking caffeinated beverages too late into the evening or taking naps that go on for too long 

Consequences 

The consequences of frequently disrupted sleep on teens with autism can look like the following: 

• Higher frequency of challenging or antisocial behaviors 

• Breakdown in peer relationships 

• Increase in obsessive, ritualistic, or compulsive behaviors

• Anxiety or Depression 

• Inability to regulate emotions or communicate emotional turmoil 

What Can Parents Do?

Seeing the consequences of a disrupted sleep pattern on your teen’s wellbeing can be difficult for any parent. Still, there are many things you can do that will likely see a considerable improvement in their sleep quality. As the first point of call, we suggest trying: 

• Adapting your teen’s bedroom so that it is entirely dark and cool at night time 

• Using a sleep diary to track sleeping habits and looking for repeated patterns 

• Investing in sensory-related relaxation products like a white noise machine or a weighted blanket 

• Developing an evening and bedtime routine with clear expectations that must be adhered to 

• Giving warnings that the bedtime routine will begin soon 

• Introducing an exercise routine 

• Stopping all caffeinated beverages being consumed from the afternoon onwards 

• Considering taking melatonin supplements to aid feelings of sleepiness 

• Organizing a reward system for reaching milestones, for example, one whole week of not getting up at night time or for following the bedtime routine to the letter 

Taking such steps should lead to a noticeable reduction in nights of broken or disturbed sleep but should problems continue, it’s always advisable to seek a professional medical opinion. When considering cases of highly troubled sleep, they may recommend your teen participate in a sleep study to get a firmer idea of their sleep cycle and eliminate the possibility of sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome. They could also suggest bright-light therapy, where your teen is exposed to bright light in the morning to stimulate feelings of wakefulness. The most important thing parents should do if their teen is suffering from sleep problems is to take care of themselves and make sure that, as much as possible, their sleep pattern doesn’t become overly compromised. A huge sleep deficit makes you more vulnerable to making deprivation-based mistakes and less emotionally equipped to handle the demands of parenthood and adult life. 

We hope that this blog has shed some light on the causes, consequences, and solutions to the sleep disturbances experienced by those with autism. For more information, we highly recommend checking out our blog and free downloadable guides.

If you would love for your teen to have the opportunity to study at PS, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Enrollment Specialist, who would be happy to connect with you. PS not only boasts a comprehensive school experience, but we also consider life beyond high school with our LyfeLaunch Transition program, aimed at those wanting to take the next steps in their future. Check it out!