Guest guest Posted January 11, 2009 Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 My son ( the almost 6 yr old on Zoloft who is still not sleeping most nights) may have several snow days next week due to blizzard conditions and below zero temps. We live in a small apt and he has sensory integration disorder as well. He needs movement and heavy work yet is very negative to suggestions I have. We had been going out and shoveling snow and walking through the woods to get him moving but this next week we may not be able to go outside due to the temps. Also my husband works nights so need to keep it quiet in the house as best as possible. His not sleeping is getting to ME. Last night he slept and I wasn't there to enjoy it (working). Friday night at 10:30 I was expasperated and he wanted to sleep on the couch (impossible since dad is up then) so 3 times I dragged him into bed and at last at 10:30, crying he fell asleep. He wouldn't tell me what he was afraid of and I couldn't take anymore. The only time I have to myself is after he goes to bed which makes it extra hard but makes me feel extra selfish as well. Sorry this is so loong. We do have a counseling apt next week (weather permitting) and doc apt looks like they can't get him in til March! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 11, 2009 Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 Okay, my sleep suggestions are not for the weak of heart. My youngest daughter, , has OCD and Asperger's syndrome and sleep was something she did not do. In a nutshell, I picked a plan and stuck with it to teach her to sleep at night. This took a very long time and some medication but she is better now--for the most part. I chose a bedtime and set a routine in stone. She had her bath, her snack, and two bedtime stories. I then told her she could look at books and listen to soothing music in her room but she had to stay in bed. I then checked on her every five minutes WITHOUT fail. I did this for hours (not kidding) some nights but I followed through. If she got up before the five minutes was up, I took her back to bed calmly, telling her it was bedtime and that I would continue to check on her. After what seemed like forever, she started staying in her room between checks (I'm pretty sure she also got stickers for this) and then I moved the time to seven minutes, then ten and after about a year she was fine with going to bed on her own. I know, it is a long time. We know now that the Asperger's and the sleep issues that go along with it made it really hard for her to sleep. This process was fairly painless (she did not suffer much) but consistency was key. I also made sure she got up at the same time every single day and went to bed at the same time every day so she would be used to sleeping at certain times. Several years into this, we put her on Clonidine and that has helped tremendously. sleeping through the night was one of the most beautiful experiences I have had in my life. Kelley in NV **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1215855013x1201028747/aol?redir=http://\ www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072%26hmpgID=62%26bcd=De cemailfooterNO62) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 11, 2009 Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 Hi Kelley, Oh boy does that bring back some memories!!!! I had to do that with my daughter too! (The routine and the Clonidine) I did it with her raging also! I will say though, the process WAS painful , for ME!!!(LOl) Mine is 12 now, and does sleep all night, but my son (7) doesn't.I haven't had the strength to go through the whole routine with him, even though I need to. Hugs Judy ________________________________ To: Sent: Sunday, January 11, 2009 8:06:54 PM Subject: Re: Help, suggestions anyone? Okay, my sleep suggestions are not for the weak of heart. My youngest daughter, , has OCD and Asperger's syndrome and sleep was something she did not do. In a nutshell, I picked a plan and stuck with it to teach her to sleep at night. This took a very long time and some medication but she is better now--for the most part. I chose a bedtime and set a routine in stone. She had her bath, her snack, and two bedtime stories. I then told her she could look at books and listen to soothing music in her room but she had to stay in bed. I then checked on her every five minutes WITHOUT fail. I did this for hours (not kidding) some nights but I followed through. If she got up before the five minutes was up, I took her back to bed calmly, telling her it was bedtime and that I would continue to check on her. After what seemed like forever, she started staying in her room between checks (I'm pretty sure she also got stickers for this) and then I moved the time to seven minutes, then ten and after about a year she was fine with going to bed on her own. I know, it is a long time. We know now that the Asperger's and the sleep issues that go along with it made it really hard for her to sleep. This process was fairly painless (she did not suffer much) but consistency was key. I also made sure she got up at the same time every single day and went to bed at the same time every day so she would be used to sleeping at certain times. Several years into this, we put her on Clonidine and that has helped tremendously. sleeping through the night was one of the most beautiful experiences I have had in my life. Kelley in NV ************ **A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola. com/promoclk/ 100000075x121585 5013x1201028747/ aol?redir= http://www. freecreditreport .com/pm/default. aspx?sc=668072% 26hmpgID= 62%26bcd= De cemailfooterNO62) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 11, 2009 Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 Well, most of this I have done since he was a baby (routine and same get up/ go to bed times no matter what). I also tried the music/book thing with him. Seemed to work at first but is fizzling out. I told him he had to stay in his room-big mistake-friday he was playing away in there getting everything out-I went in there and he looked at me and said " but you said it was o.k. as long as I stayed in my room " - LOL. The kid may be a laywer someday! What is the Clonidine? He can't get into a psychiatrist till March so we are stuck with the Zoloft till then. If I have to go on like this till March I will be leaving home!! Used to be I could go through anything during the day because I knew bedtime was around the corner.I am weak-I admit it. He has ALWAYS been a good sleeper. The only time I can remember him not sleeping is when his transistional objsect got lost for a week. I mean if we took him out past bedtime he would want to go home because he wanted to go to bed. > > Okay, my sleep suggestions are not for the weak of heart. My youngest > daughter, , has OCD and Asperger's syndrome and sleep was something she did > not do. In a nutshell, I picked a plan and stuck with it to teach her to > sleep at night. This took a very long time and some medication but she is better > now--for the most part. I chose a bedtime and set a routine in stone. She > had her bath, her snack, and two bedtime stories. I then told her she could > look at books and listen to soothing music in her room but she had to stay in > bed. I then checked on her every five minutes WITHOUT fail. I did this for > hours (not kidding) some nights but I followed through. If she got up > before the five minutes was up, I took her back to bed calmly, telling her it was > bedtime and that I would continue to check on her. After what seemed like > forever, she started staying in her room between checks (I'm pretty sure she > also got stickers for this) and then I moved the time to seven minutes, then > ten and after about a year she was fine with going to bed on her own. I know, > it is a long time. We know now that the Asperger's and the sleep issues that > go along with it made it really hard for her to sleep. This process was > fairly painless (she did not suffer much) but consistency was key. I also made > sure she got up at the same time every single day and went to bed at the same > time every day so she would be used to sleeping at certain times. Several > years into this, we put her on Clonidine and that has helped tremendously. > sleeping through the night was one of the most beautiful experiences I > have had in my life. Kelley in NV > **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy > steps! > (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1215855013x1201028747/aol? redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072% 26hmpgID=62%26bcd=De > cemailfooterNO62) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Hi , I apologize in advance if anyone else has already posted these suggestions, but for the sake of time I was going to throw a few things out there.. (ugh time..never enough..) My 11 year old daughter has autism and various other issues and one thing that is important to her stability & balance is what's called a 'sensory diet'. Regulation of her needs also helps with her sleep although at any time it can be thrown off (weather cycles, hormones, etc) You really have to get creative but a good OT can help (occupational therapist) We do deep pressure massage, joint compressions, exercise balls & mini trampolines,heavy blankets, items warmed (in dryer or microwave), as well as music (different tones/ deep calming, rythmic, etc), use of bed tents,...oh the list just goes on & on. There are many quiet things you can work into a bedtime routine. It is important to follow your child's cues to what and how often input is needed. anyway..just some brief thoughts happy to help with any other suggestions, if needed > > My son ( the almost 6 yr old on Zoloft who is still not sleeping most > nights) may have several snow days next week due to blizzard conditions > and below zero temps. We live in a small apt and he has sensory > integration disorder as well. He needs movement and heavy work yet is > very negative to suggestions I have. We had been going out and > shoveling snow and walking through the woods to get him moving but this > next week we may not be able to go outside due to the temps. Also my > husband works nights so need to keep it quiet in the house as best as > possible. > His not sleeping is getting to ME. Last night he slept and I wasn't > there to enjoy it (working). Friday night at 10:30 I was expasperated > and he wanted to sleep on the couch (impossible since dad is up then) > so 3 times I dragged him into bed and at last at 10:30, crying he fell > asleep. He wouldn't tell me what he was afraid of and I couldn't take > anymore. The only time I have to myself is after he goes to bed which > makes it extra hard but makes me feel extra selfish as well. Sorry this > is so loong. > We do have a counseling apt next week (weather permitting) and doc apt > looks like they can't get him in til March! > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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