Sleep and Autism

Interventions

Most of the interventions (treatments, therapies and other forms of support) used to help autistic people with sleep problems are the same as those designed to help anyone with sleep problems. For example, it can be difficult to get to sleep if you don't have a regular bedtime routine, if you are distracted by excessive light or noise, you use electronic devices like computers as part of your bedtime routine, if you have underlying health problems, or if you are constantly worried about something. It is important to identify and, if possible, eliminate these problems before considering other solutions.

Behavioural approaches

There are a number of behavioural approaches used to help people with sleep onset and night waking problems. These include:

• Bedtime fading: going to bed at progressively earlier times, working back in blocks of 10-15 minutes from the time they actually fall asleep.
• Scheduled awakening:  waking someone up at predetermined times, usually 30 mins or so, before they normally wake in the night
• Sleep restriction: limiting the time someone spends in bed to 90% of the time they normally spend in bed.
• Extinction procedures: removing parental involvement during bedtime disruptions. This can be done abruptly (e.g. the parent puts the child to bed and doesn't interact with them until morning) or more gradually (e.g. reducing parental involvement over successive nights or only going in at predetermined times).
• Camping out: the parent sleeps in the bedroom by the bed and gradually moves out.
• Parent training programmes:  educational programmes which teach parents how to use one or more of the techniques listed above.
• Cognitive behavioural therapy:  type of psychological intervention used to change how people think and behave.

Biomedical approaches

There are a number of biomedical approaches used to help autistic people with sleep problems.

• Medications with sedative properties (such as mirtazapine); anti-hypertensives (such as clonidine); and the hormone melatonin.
• Dietary supplements include 5-HTP, iron, kava, multivitamins, and valerian.
• Exclusion diets involve restricting or removing certain foodstuffs, such as sugar, caffeine and/or additives.

Other approaches 

There are numerous other interventions designed to help autistic people with sleep problems. Those interventions include aromatherapy, exercise programmes, homeopathy, light therapy, massage, mindfulness, weighted blankets and yoga.

Please note

Some medications and supplements should only be used for a limited period and under the direction of a suitably qualified practitioner, such as a GP or a dietician. Some medications and supplements have significant side effects or interactions with other substances. Some medications and supplements may actually make sleep problems worse.

It is wise to seek appropriate professional support before attempting any sleep intervention.

Updated

16 Jun 2022

Last Review

01 May 2018

Next Review

01 May 2021