AUTISM AND SLEEPING DISORDERS

IT IS BELIEVED THAT AUTISM IS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INCREASED LEVEL OF SLEEP DIFFICULTIES. FOR THIS REASON, IT ONLY MAKES SENSE THAT IMPROVING AN AUTISTIC CHILD'S ABILITY TO SLEEP MAY PROVIDE SIGNIGICANT BENEFITS FOR THE CHILD, AND ALL MEMBERS OF THE FAMIL

CHILDREN AND ALL PEOPLE ARE TAUGHT HOW AND WHEN TO SLEEP IN THE WAME WAY THAT WE AQUIRE OTHER BEHAVIORS. WE LEARN THROUGH SENSORY PERCEPTION AND SOCIAL INTERACTION. AS A BABY OUR SLEEP FOLLOWS NO ROUTINE, BUT AS WE BEGIN TO DEVELOP WHAT WE LEARN TO ADOPT THE DAY/NIGHT CYCLE OF SLEEP AND BEING AWAKE. CHILDREN WITH AUTISM CAN TAKE LONGER TO ACCLIMATE THEMSELVES TO THIS CYCLE. IT IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR THEM TO EXPERIENCE MORE DIFFICULTY IN GOING TO SLEEP OR IN SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT.

THE FIRST OF THESE PROBLEMS IS THE SLEEP ONSET STAGE. THAT IS, ABILITY TO FALL ASLEEP ONCE THE CHILD IS IN BED. AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME BETWEEN GOING TO BED AND FALLING ASLEEP CAN BE CAUSED BY DISTRACTIONS, A FEELING OF WAKEFULNESS, MEDICATION AND MANY OTHER FACTORS.

ANOTHER CHALLENGE FOR A CHILD WITH AUTISM, IS THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN SLEEP FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD. PARENTS FREQUENTLY REPORT THAT THEIR AUTISTIC CHILD WAKE FREQUENTLY, OFTEN IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS. THE CHILD MAY BE UP AND ABOUT WHILE THE REST OF THE FAMILY IS TRYING TO SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT.

Here, too, the Adaptive Sleep Technology in the Sleep System may help. A person will experience interruptions in the sleep cycle if physical pressure points lead to tossing and turning. The technology in this System is designed to minimize localized pressure areas, providing more consistent support and helping to prevent waking episodes due to discomfort.

ONE STUDY SUGGESTS THAT TEMPERATURE REGULATION IS IMPORTANT IN MAINTAINING SLEEP CYCLES. KEEPING THE BODY'S TEMPERATURE REGULATED, SO THAT THE SLEEPER DOES NOT EXPERIENCE HEAT OR COLD, CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE DISCOMFORT AND LEAD TO WAKING UP PREMATURELY.