Sleep: Life Without Words

 Sleep is something most parents wish they had more of. When your child has autism, sleep can be even more unpredictable.. and that’s definitely been true for us with Wyatt.

When Wyatt was a baby, he was an amazing sleeper. He would sleep through the night without a problem, which is something I never took for granted. But as he’s grown, sleep has become a much bigger challenge.

When Wyatt was around 2 years old, his sleep hit its roughest patch. He would be up all night, bouncing off the walls...literally. I used to “sleep” with him in the living room, but really, it was more like closing my eyes while trying to keep him safe as he explored and played. His energy seemed endless.

We tried melatonin as his doctor suggested, but it didn’t seem to help at all. Nothing we did made much difference. Those were some very long nights.

Now that Wyatt is 4½, his sleep is a little better, but still not consistent. He goes through phases where he can stay up all night, or wake up in the middle of the night to wander. Sometimes, he’ll come into our room and climb into bed with us - but not to sleep. Instead, he bounces, wiggles, and seems to have boundless energy while the rest of us try to rest.

Some nights, it feels like he just doesn’t get tired the way other kids do.

Thankfully, things have improved compared to those toddler years. His sleep schedule is mostly typical now, with only occasional overnight adventures. I like to think part of that is because we recently redid his bedroom with a dinosaur theme—his favorite! He loves his room now, and maybe that comfort helps him settle more easily.

Every child with autism is different, and what works for one may not work for another. For us, creating a space Wyatt loves, sticking to a routine as much as possible, and giving him room to regulate himself has helped a lot!

Sleep issues are so common in autism, but they’re rarely talked about enough. For families like ours, it’s exhausting - but also a reminder that our kids’ brains work differently. Wyatt’s nighttime energy is part of who he is. While it’s challenging, it’s also just another piece of his unique puzzle.

I’m not an expert, just a mom figuring things out as we go. But here are a few things that have made a difference for us:

1. Make their room a safe, calming space.
   Redoing Wyatt’s room with things he loves (dinosaurs!) helped him feel more comfortable there.
2. Stick to a routine when you can.
   Bedtime routines signal to kids that it’s time to wind down, even if they don’t always follow the plan.
3. Accept that sleep may look different.
   There were nights where I “slept” on the couch just to keep him safe. Sometimes survival mode is okay.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
   Talk to your pediatrician or sleep specialist if things get overwhelming. Even if answers are limited, support matters.
5. Celebrate small victories.
   One night of good sleep is still a win! Hold onto those moments.

Parenting a child with autism means learning to adapt - to let go of the “perfect” sleep schedule and celebrate the progress, even if it’s small. Wyatt may never be the world’s best sleeper, but he’s happy, and that’s what matters most.

Kerri