Understanding Sleep Disorders with Autism

Be honest and forthcoming about the situation at hand. Don’t ‘sugar-coat’ the essence of your child’s sleep issues. Be explicit about the profound effects your child’s sleep difficulty is placing on him/her and on the family.

Your honesty is necessary to give your doctor the full picture so that he/she can be of most help.

In preparation for the doctor’s visit, keep a week's log. Write how much and when your child is sleeping. This information will help your pediatrician in the quest for the cause(s) of your child's sleep issues.

Note any of these behaviors you see while your child is sleeping: snoring, changes in breathing patterns, difficulty breathing, or unusual movements.

It would also be beneficial to include your child's behavior the following day. The pediatrician will be looking for patterns when your child sleeps poorly vs. when he/she sleeps better.

Ask about a referral to a sleep specialist and also to a sleep psychologist.

A sleep specialist might order a sleep-apnea test. The sleep psychologist could consider if your child is a candidate for a treatment referred to as 'bright-light' therapy. (This therapy involves exposing your child to periods of bright light in the morning.

It's widely accepted that the light can stimulate the body's release of the melatonin hormone. Melatonin can help your child feel more awake during the day.