{"id":78734,"date":"2024-01-14T01:21:07","date_gmt":"2024-01-13T22:21:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/invidyo.com\/blog?p=78734"},"modified":"2024-01-14T01:21:07","modified_gmt":"2024-01-13T22:21:07","slug":"sleep-problems-in-children-with-special-needs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/invidyo.com\/blog\/en\/sleep-problems-in-children-with-special-needs","title":{"rendered":"Sleep Problems In Children With Special Needs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">Bringing up a child is a long term commitment that, at times, can get quite challenging. For parents who have children with &#8220;special needs,&#8221; this journey is often far more challenging. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">One of the most important aspects of development is sleep. The majority of parents have to deal with sleep issues, either their own or their children&#8217;s. This is, usually hard to cope with since every child faces problems with sleep at one point or the other. The ease with which your child goes to sleep and stays asleep fluctuates as they grow older. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S1087079299900941\">researchers,<\/a> children with physical, psychological, or intellectual disorders experience far more problems with sleep than kids without \u201cspecial needs\u201d do.<\/span><u><\/u><span class=\"tm6\"> This article explores the relationship between sleep and special needs children. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal\"><span class=\"tm6\">The relationship between sleep disorders and learning, behavior, and family functioning makes it particularly important that children with special needs receive appropriate intervention for their sleep disorders. This is why understanding the reasons behind sleep issues is essential.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal\"><span class=\"tm6\">Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Down syndrome (DS) can affect children intellectually and developmentally. And sleep disorders are one of the most frequent comorbidities in children with such disorders. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">In this article we mainly focus on the sleep disorders of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). But you will also learn quick facts about Down syndrome.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\"><a href=\"file:\/\/\/C:\/Users\/famil\/Downloads\/Sleep%20In%20Neurodevelopmental%20Disorders.pdf\">Researchers<\/a> estimate that between 50% and 80% of children with ASD h<\/span><span class=\"tm6\">ave difficulty with sleeping. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">The biggest sleep problems among these children include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">Difficulty falling asleep<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">Inconsistent sleep routines<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">Restlessness or poor sleep quality<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">Waking early and waking frequently<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">We will search the causes behind why autistic children might struggle with sleep and how to help them get a good night&#8217;s rest in this article.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"what-causes-sleep-problems-in-autistic-children\" class=\"tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">What causes sleep problems in autistic children?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and repetitive and stereotyped interests and behaviors. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">Currently, one of the most burdensome complaints among parents of children with autism is <strong>disrupted sleep.<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\"><a href=\"file:\/\/\/C:\/Users\/famil\/Downloads\/Sleep%20In%20Neurodevelopmental%20Disorders.pdf\">Sleep problems<\/a> are so common in ASD that they are, at times, considered a phenotype marker. <\/span><u><\/u><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\"><a href=\"file:\/\/\/C:\/Users\/famil\/Downloads\/Sleep%20In%20Neurodevelopmental%20Disorders.pdf\">Studies<\/a> suggest that up to 50% &#8211; 80% of children with ASD may have sleep difficulties at some point in their childhood. For many, these sleep problems can be chronic.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">For children with ASD, sleep problems typically begin to occur from around 30 months of age. The most common problems are <strong>less total time asleep and increased time to settle to sleep<\/strong>. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">Although specialists assume that bedtime and daytime habits affect sleep habits of children with ASD, researchers aren&#8217;t exactly sure why they have problems with sleep. However, there are several theories behind why it occurs:<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id=\"social-cues\" class=\"Normal tm8\"><strong><span class=\"tm7\">Social cues<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">A person&#8217;s circadian rhythm dictates when it\u2019s time to sleep thanks to the typical cycle of day and night. But besides this, social cues are also effective in deciding sleep time. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">For example a child may see their siblings getting ready for bed and decide that it\u2019s time to sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">But in the case of children with ASD, social cues may not work. These children often have difficulty in communicating and they may fail to understand sleep cues.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id=\"melatonin\" class=\"Normal tm8\"><strong><span class=\"tm7\">Melatonin<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\"> This hormone normally helps a person regulate their sleep-wake cycle. <\/span>The body needs an amino acid called tryptophan to make melatonin. But this amino acid is either higher or lower than normal in children with autism according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4478596\/\">research<\/a>. This imbalance contributes to the failure of releasing melatonin at appropriate times during the day.<\/p>\n<p>Children with ASD might have high levels of melatonin during the day and lower levels at night. Hence, the irregular secretion of melatonin, which regulates sleep patterns, affects sleep adversely.<\/p>\n<h4 id=\"increased-sensitivity-to-external-stimuli\" class=\"Normal tm8\"><strong><span class=\"tm7\">Increased sensitivity to external stimuli<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">Children with ASD have heightened levels of sensory sensitivity. Touch or sound may affect them intensely. F<\/span>or example most kids sleep soundly through events like opening their bedroom door. to check in on them. But a child with ASD might wake up abruptly.<\/p>\n<h4 id=\"anxiety\" class=\"Normal tm8\"><strong><span class=\"tm7\">Anxiety<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">Children with ASD experience high levels of anxiety at an higher rate than typically developing children. Increased anxiety or an inability to relax are possible conditions that can adversely affect sleep. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">These factors are thought to be the basis of sleep problems in children with ASD. <\/span><span class=\"tm6\">If you understand the underlying reason of your child\u2019s sleep problems, it can be easier to work out the most appropriate way to solve the problems. The following are a few situations that contribute to sleep disturbances. <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">Having difficulty settling, winding down and going to sleep.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">Waking repeatedly during the night, or having difficulty going back to sleep after waking up to go to the toilet.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">Neurological conditions such as\u00a0epilepsy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">Sensory differences, such as\u00a0increased sensitivity\u00a0to blue light from smart phones, laptops and other screens, or sensitivity to certain sounds or white noise, which may be upsetting or distracting and keep them awake.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">Problems caused by food allergies, which could cause gastrointestinal issues and discomfort, or increased sensitivity to caffeine or other stimulants, which can disturb sleep.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\"><span class=\"tm6\">Hypersomnia &#8211; sleeping too much. Increased exhaustion could be caused by the additional stress autistic people experience in\u00a0social situations.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"how-do-sleep-problems-affect-daily-life\" class=\"tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">How do sleep problems affect daily life?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">In a developing child, sleep serves multiple functions including, but not limited to, energy conservation, brain growth, memory consolidation, and cognition.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">The body releases hormones during sleep that aid growth, build muscles, and repair cells and tissues. <\/span>According to studies, childhood sleep deficiencies may be linked to future problems, such as a decrease in mental functioning that can begin as early as adolescence.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">Increasing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationwidechildrens.org\/family-resources-education\/family-resources-library\/lack-of-sleep-can-harm-a-childs-health\">evidence<\/a> also suggests that poor sleep contributes to major health problems, such as obesity. Sleep constitutes the basis of general health.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">Research has also shown that, in children with ASD, there is a connection between lack of sleep and the following characteristics:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">Aggression<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">Depression<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">Hyperactivity<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">Increased behavioral problems<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">Irritability<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">Poor learning and cognitive performance<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">Daytime behavior problems in children with ASD, such as elevated rates of anxiety and depression in older children and adults, are associated with sleep problems according to one approach. Moreover researchers point to the fact that throughout life, sleep problems can result in more severe ASD symptomology (higher rates of repetitive behaviors is an example to this) <\/span><span class=\"tm6\">and gastrointestinal problems. <\/span><span class=\"tm6\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\"><a href=\"file:\/\/\/C:\/Users\/famil\/Downloads\/Sleep%20In%20Neurodevelopmental%20Disorders.pdf\">Studies<\/a> following this approach, report individuals with ASD and sleep problems display more intellectual disabilities, inattention, hyperactivity, and restricted\/repetitive behaviors when compared to individuals with ASD without sleep problems.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">If your child isn&#8217;t sleeping, there&#8217;s a good chance you aren&#8217;t, either. <\/span><span class=\"tm6\">Since children with ASD sleep less, parents of them have poorer sleep quality and sleep less. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">One <a href=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/jpepsy\/article\/33\/4\/380\/1746689\">study<\/a> found that over two-thirds of parents of children with autism reported their own sleep was disrupted due to their child&#8217;s sleep. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-do-i-know-if-my-child-has-a-sleep-disorder\" class=\"tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">How do I know if my child has a sleep disorder?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">If your child regularly has difficulty falling asleep or wakes up repeatedly throughout the night, it might be a sign of a sleep disorder. To know for sure, you should contact your child&#8217;s pediatrician. The doctor may refer you to a sleep specialist.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">Keeping a sleep diary might be a good idea before contacting your doctor. With a sleep diary you can easily keep track of how much your child is sleeping and monitor their sleep habits. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">In a sleep diary, you can include following points: <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm12\"><span class=\"tm6\">How much your child is sleeping in total?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm12\"><span class=\"tm6\">When do they sleep every night and day?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm12\"><span class=\"tm6\">How long do they sleep?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm12\"><span class=\"tm6\">How many times do they wake up during the night?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm12\"><span class=\"tm6\">How do they sleep?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm12\"><span class=\"tm6\">How long does it take to fall asleep?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm12\"><span class=\"tm6\">Does your child snore?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm12\"><span class=\"tm6\">Does your child have any changes in breathing patterns?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm12\"><span class=\"tm6\">Does your child have any unusual movements?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm12\"><span class=\"tm6\">Does your child have any difficulty in breathing?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm12\"><span class=\"tm6\">Does your child have any changes in their behavior the following day?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">Even better yet, you can use smart baby monitors such as <a href=\"https:\/\/get.invidyo.com\/\">Invidyo Smart Baby Cam<\/a> to make things easier for you. <a href=\"https:\/\/get.invidyo.com\/\">Invidyo<\/a> automatically tracks your baby&#8217;s sleep habits and patterns so you don&#8217;t have to do so manually.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Some of the ways that <a href=\"https:\/\/get.invidyo.com\/\">Invidyo&#8217;s<\/a> automated sleep tracking can help include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Monitor your baby&#8217;s sleep duration<\/li>\n<li>Check for sleep disturbances<\/li>\n<li>Check how often and for how long your baby&#8217;s sleep is interrupted<\/li>\n<li>Use the accumulated data for your pediatrician check-ups<\/li>\n<li>Share your baby&#8217;s sleep patterns and habits with your partner or family members<\/li>\n<li>Easily detect sources of sleep disturbances to improve your baby&#8217;s sleep quality<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Aside from automated sleep tracking, <a href=\"https:\/\/get.invidyo.com\/\">Invidyo&#8217;s Smart Baby Cam<\/a> uses AI technology to provide you with many other important metrics including but not limited to Cough &amp; Cry detection, Stranger Alerts, and daily summary videos.<\/p>\n<p>Baby camera&#8217;s like <a href=\"https:\/\/get.invidyo.com\/\">Invidyo<\/a> make it easier for parents to take care of their little one(s) especially if they have a baby with special needs.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/get.invidyo.com\/\"><strong>FIND OUT MORE ABOUT INVIDYO SMART BABY CAM HERE!<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-can-i-help-my-child-sleep-better\" class=\"tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">How can I help my child sleep better?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">All children, including autistic children, need enough good-quality sleep for growth, development and learning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">How long it takes children to get to sleep and settle back to sleep when they wake up in the night might depends on things like:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">What they do before they go to bed<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">When they go to bed<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">What they need to get to sleep<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">Where they go to sleep<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">What they do during the day<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">Before sleep medications, there are a number of life style changes that can improve sleep time and quality for children with ASD. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">Below you will read some tips that can help your child sleep better:<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id=\"avoid-caffeine-electronics-and-excitement-before-sleep\" class=\"Normal tm8\"><strong><span class=\"tm7\">Avoid caffeine, electronics and excitement before sleep<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">Stimulants such as caffeine and sugar affect sleep. Caffeine can be found in energy drinks, coffee, tea, chocolate and other fizzy drinks. Make sure your child avoids these stimulants well before bed. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>Studies point to the fact that media exposure including television, video game devices and computers negatively affect sleep onset. Besides, exposure to violent media is particularly harmful but also especially before bed.<\/p>\n<h4 id=\"set-up-a-bedtime-routine\" class=\"Normal tm8\"><strong><span class=\"tm7\">Set up a bedtime routine<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">A regular bedtime routine encourages good sleep patterns. Set the routine which fits your child the best. A short bath, reading, listening to music and then bed can be in your routine. The aim here is to help your child feel ready for sleep. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">For older children the routine might include a quiet chat about the day, then some time alone relaxing before lights out.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">Autistic children might need extra support to get used to a bedtime routine. Below you will read ideas: <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">Give your child clear and consistent cues when it\u2019s nearly bedtime. For example, 30 minutes before bedtime, start with some quiet activities like reading or drawing in the living room. Then 15 minutes before bedtime, let your child brush their teeth and go to the toilet.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">Use visual support aids showing your child\u2019s bedtime routine. This way your child can understand the steps better. Have a short bath, put on pajamas, brush their teeth, get in the bed, read a book, turn out the lights and sleep are some examples. <\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">Put stickers on your visual support board to indicate when your child completes a step correctly.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">Gently praise your child for successfully completing steps in the routine. <\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">If your child gets upset or wakes up during the night, quietly and calmly put them back to bed. Settle them in and remind them of the sleep routine using words or pictures. You might need to do this many times.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 id=\"set-regular-and-appropriate-bedtimes\" class=\"tm8\"><strong><span class=\"tm6\">Set regular and appropriate bedtimes<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">Regular and appropriate bedtimes can help your child get the sleep they need.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">The first thing is to <\/span><span class=\"tm6\">reveal the best time for your child to go to bed. <\/span><span class=\"tm6\">You can do this by looking at when your child needs to get up, and how much sleep your child needs to stay well and alert during the day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">The next step is <\/span><span class=\"tm6\">to move your child\u2019s sleepy time towards their ideal bedtime.<\/span><span class=\"tm6\"> To start with, put your child to bed when they\u2019re sleepy. This might mean that your child stays up later and starts their bedtime routine a bit later initially.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">Once your child is falling asleep quickly, move the start time for the routine back by 15 minutes every 2 days. It might take a few weeks, but your child should start to feel sleepy earlier until they\u2019re going to bed at the desired time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">Until your child is good at settling to sleep, try to keep the same bedtime at weekends and holidays.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id=\"set-up-a-safe-comfortable-sleep-environment\" class=\"tm8\"><strong><span class=\"tm6\">Set up a safe, comfortable sleep environment<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">Be sure that your child\u2019s sleep environment is quiet, dimly lit, and neither too hot nor too cold.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">It is important that you remove objects that might stop your child from sleeping comfortably. A child\u2019s bed should be empty of excessive toys. For example, if your child has a collection of toy cars in their bed, it might make it hard for them to get comfortable in bed. <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">Help your child relax. You know your child the best. If they like being massaged, then give them a gentle back massage. You can also turn on some soft music of their choice.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">Shut down television, electronic devices like phones, video games, and other sources of stimulus at least an hour before bedtime.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">To prevent sensory distractions during the night, put heavy curtains on your child&#8217;s windows to block out the light, install thick carpeting, and make sure the door doesn&#8217;t creak. You can also make sure that the temperature of the room and choice of bedding fit your child\u2019s sensory needs.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 id=\"get-enough-physical-activity-during-the-day\" class=\"tm8\"><strong><span class=\"tm6\">Get enough physical activity during the day<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"tm8\"><span class=\"tm13\">Encourage your<\/span><span class=\"tm13\"> child to be more active during the day. A family walk before dinner, walking daily in a park, jumping, and running can all make a difference. <\/span><span class=\"tm13\">It really helps if your child can be active outside, because plenty of natural light during the day also helps with sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id=\"eat-the-right-amount-at-the-right-time-during-the-day\" class=\"tm8\"><strong><span class=\"tm6\">Eat the right amount at the right time during the day<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">Eating and drinking habits are important. Because <strong>what<\/strong> you eat and drink alongside <strong>when<\/strong> you eat and drink affect a child\u2019s ability to settle down.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal\"><span class=\"tm6\">A healthy breakfast gives a child\u2019s body the required energy for the day. A light dinner that satisfies the child but does not leave them too full is ideal before going to bed. <\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id=\"ask-your-pediatrician-about-melatonin\" class=\"Normal\"><strong><span class=\"tm7\">Ask your pediatrician about melatonin<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"Normal\"><span class=\"tm6\">Pharmacological treatments for sleep problems in ASD most commonly include melatonin. But you should contact your pediatrician about using this supplement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Melatonin may help normalize sleep-wake cycles in autistic children who have sleep issues, and research done so far finds that it&#8217;s safe and effective.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"sleep-problems-in-children-with-down-syndrome\" class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm7\">Sleep problems in children with Down syndrome<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">Around 50% of children with Down\u2019s syndrome (DS) experience sleep issues. Babies with DS may find it harder to develop sleep patterns, get to sleep and stay asleep.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">There can be multiple causes of sleep deprivation in children with Down syndrome. It is best to consult with your doctor first to discuss what is going on with your child.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">Two common causes of sleep disturbances in children with Down syndrome are physical, breathing-related sleep problems <\/span><span class=\"tm6\">(narrow upper airways, larger tongues and low muscle tone)<\/span><span class=\"tm6\"> and behavioral sleep problems.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">The most common physical, breathing-related sleep problem is obstructive sleep apnea. According to a <\/span><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4638183\/\"><span class=\"tm6\">study by NIH<\/span><\/a><\/u>, 31% of infants with Down syndrome have obstructive sleep apnea.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a medical condition where a person\u2019s normal breathing is disrupted during sleep because the walls of the throat relax and narrow or block the airway. If your baby is diagnosed with OSA, your doctor or sleep physician will talk to you about treatment options.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">If your baby has other medical problems it can make developing good sleep routines less of a priority, especially if they spend more time in hospital early in their life. This can affect and disrupt their sleep routine when they are at home.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">Some medications can also affect babies going to sleep and remaining asleep. <\/span><span class=\"tm6\">The way babies and children with Down syndrome communicate and learn can affect their ability to develop good sleep habits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">Families, parents and carers of children with Down syndrome can also feel increased stress, which makes it harder to establish good sleeping patterns.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-can-you-help-your-baby-with-their-sleep\" class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm7\">How can you help your baby with their sleep?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">Basically good sleep habits or in other words sleep hygiene can improve your baby&#8217;s sleep issues. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">Above we have shared some tips for helping children with ASD to sleep better. The same tips are mostly effectual for children with DS. <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">A nightly routine at bedtime.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">A bedroom that is free of distractions (e.g. cut out any unwanted light or noise).<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">Regular sleeping hours.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">Regular exercise and activities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">Avoidance of caffeine and other stimulants in the evening.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">Avoidance of exercise in the evening.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Normal tm8 tm9\"><span class=\"tm6\">Not using a phone or iPad late at night.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\"><strong>References:<\/strong> sciencedirect.com, autism.org.uk, sleephealthfoundation.org.au, webmd.com, raisingchildren.net.au, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, nationwidechildrens.org, onlinelibrary.wiley.com, dsrf.org, childrens.health.qld.gov.au<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal tm8\"><span class=\"tm6\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal\">\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Bringing up a child is a long term commitment that, at times, can get quite challenging. For parents&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":78735,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[153],"tags":[1571,1572,1568,1581,1578,1579,1575,1576,1577,1574,1573,1582,1569,1570,1580],"table_tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/invidyo.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78734"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/invidyo.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/invidyo.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/invidyo.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/invidyo.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=78734"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/invidyo.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78734\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":78757,"href":"https:\/\/invidyo.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78734\/revisions\/78757"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/invidyo.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/78735"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/invidyo.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=78734"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/invidyo.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=78734"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/invidyo.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=78734"},{"taxonomy":"table_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/invidyo.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/table_tags?post=78734"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}