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10 Best Effective Sleep Solutions for Children with Autism:
A Comprehensive Guide
Are you getting woken up at night as a result of your child with autism being unable to sleep?
Are you wondering how you can help your autistic child sleep better at night to result in a more rested and peaceful night’s sleep for the whole family?
Something I get asked a lot in this profession is - “What tips can you offer to help my child who has autism sleep through the night”? And the truth is, there are many tips and tricks that may work for one child but may not necessarily work for another child.
So, in this blog I’m going to be exploring a range of our best-selling products that can help to aid a better night’s sleep for your child - resulting in a better night’s sleep for Mum and Dad too! Win, win!
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Here at Learning Space, we prioritize comfort - not just physical comfort but also emotional comfort. We recognize the critical importance of a good night's sleep and are mindful that many children with autism may struggle not only with falling asleep but also with staying asleep throughout the night.
Disturbed and irregular sleep patterns can significantly affect your child's daily life and functionality. Consequently, emotional and behavioural needs may emerge, posing confusing and challenging situations for both you and your child. As parents or caregivers to an autistic child, it's essential to find effective sleep solutions that can make a difference.
So, if like many parents out there, you're seeking advice on how to enhance your child's nighttime rest, consider the following helpful sleep aids that have been tried and tested by countless families, with positive and successful results.
Weighted Blankets for Autism
Our weighted blankets are amongst our most popular products designed to improve sleep quality for children with autism. Known for reducing anxiety and stress, weighted blankets offer a sense of comfort and security, leading to a more peaceful and restful sleep.
Weighted blankets mimic deep pressure touch, providing a sense of security that can help reduce anxiety and improve their night’s sleep. Also, they’re incredibly soft and warm - perfect to snuggle under on a chilly night.
We offer various options in different colours, sizes and weights, with the added feature of customizable weights to accommodate your growing child.
Sensory Weighted & Deep Pressure (learningspaceuk.co.uk)
Fidgetbum Compression Sheet
Similar to weighted blankets, the Fidgetbum Compression Sheet acts as a comforting embrace for your child throughout the night, making it an ideal sensory aid for sleep.
Wrapping snuggly around them, it provides the needed security to drift into a deep sleep. Fidgetbum gives a feeling of slight pressure, catering to children who benefit from compression for comfort and mimicking the feeling of a warm hug!
This product is available for beds of all sizes, ensuring that every child can experience the benefits.
Fidgetbum Sleep and Compression Sheet (learningspaceuk.co.uk)
Warmies - Snuggable, Huggable, Loveable
Allow me to introduce the ‘Warmies’!
A widely favoured product in our range of wonderful sensory aids for children. Our Warmies offer soft, cute, and comforting plush toys in a variety of animal deigns, ideal for nighttime cuddles – emotional comfort for autistic kids at its best!
These weighted and microwavable plushies contain French Lavender-scented packs, known for their soothing properties that aid in a relaxing sleep. Aromatherapy for children is becoming increasingly more popular and we can see why!
Choosing a Warmies to become your child’s sleep companion will allow your child to feel comforted and soothed every night when their head hits their pillow.
Warmies (learningspaceuk.co.uk)
The Snuggy Pod Sensory Den
I think this has to be my personal favourite so far, due to the privacy it offers children. Plus, I think it looks really cool set up in a kid's bedroom and can even be used during sleep overs! This autism-friendly bedtime product offers a private and cozy retreat, ideal for children with sensory needs. ‘The Snuggy Pod Sensory Den’ is designed to block out light and provide a secure space, enhancing your child's ability to fall asleep in a comforting environment. Plus, it even has handy little storage pockets inside and a hook that can be used to hang a light from!
Side note - These can be used for all ages, not just for children. So, if you want to add this cool and inviting bed den to your adult bedroom, then why not! Available in single or double! (single even fits bunk beds)
Snuggy Sensory Bed Den Canopy - Ultimate Rest & Tranquility (learningspaceuk.co.uk)
Davy the Dog - Sleep Trainer, Nightlight, Alarm Clock
If you’re getting woken up very early in the morning and wish to just get that extra 30 minutes in bed before your alarm clock shouts at you to get up, I can empathise with you! To all the parents, caregivers, and family members out there who pray to get a full night’s sleep, undisturbed, right through until the morning, I’m telling you, you need Davy the Dog!
Most children don’t have a sense of time, so the day begins the moment their eyes open. Davy the Dog Sleep Trainer teaches your child with visual indicators when to stay in bed and when it’s ok to get up!
Davy The Dog - Sleep Trainer, Nightlight, Alarm Clock (learningspaceuk.co.uk)
Goodnight Lion - Magic Torch Book
Bedtime routines for children usually involve story time – anything from magical made-up fairytales to reading their favourite book to them, kids love to indulge in the escapism that comes with reading a story at bedtime! Incorporating a consistent sleep routine for children with autism can be hugely beneficial, but don’t just take my word for it, try it out and see for yourself!
This wonderful read with beautifully illustrated pages highlights how different the sky and surrounding areas are when it’s nighttime – look out for clever windows throughout the book that reveal hidden animals when the torch is inserted! My Niece absolutely LOVES this book, and the ‘Goodnight, Bear’ version too!
Goodnight Lion - Magic Torch Book (learningspaceuk.co.uk)
Zen Aroma Diffuser – Aromatherapy for Autistic Children
Introducing the Zen Aroma Diffuser into your child’s bedtime routine can be hugely beneficial in many ways, the most important and relevant benefit is simply to promote relaxation and sleep with the help of essential oils. Essential oils can aid in a deeper, more rested night sleep for your child, with the added benefit of creating a wonderfully smelling room!
If you haven’t already, then I urge you to try our new Zen Aroma Diffuser and allow your child to choose their favourite essential oil each night to encourage a consistent bedtime routine along with the calming energy that will follow.
Zen Aroma Diffuser - Colour Changing - Wood Effect (learningspaceuk.co.uk)
Aromas Scents for the Aroma Diffuser
You can also purchase our gorgeous Essential Oils Aroma Scents for the Aroma Diffuser (pack of 6)
In this wonderful essential oil set, we’ve put together 6 of the most popular, high in demand Essential Aroma Oils.
The set contains the following fragrances: Peppermint, Rose, Lavender, Vanilla, Orange, and Anti-Smoke.
So, if you’re going to try out the Zen Aroma Diffuser, then add these little beauties to your order to complete the set! Many children with autism enjoy the sensory stimulation of scents, so adding these to their bedtime routine can really help keep them calm and relaxed, ready for a peaceful night’s sleep.
Aromas Scents for the Aroma Diffuser Pack 6 (learningspaceuk.co.uk)
Max the Monkey – Nightlight with Soothing Melodies
Is your child afraid of the dark? Maybe they simply struggle to get to sleep in a darkened room, or they just feel more comforted with a nightlight nearby – if this sounds like your child then you’re not alone!
Meet Max the Monkey - he has a soft, glowing nightlight in his belly, and he plays 3 different soothing melodies to help fight off the monsters under the bed!
Creating a soothing environment will help to reduce sleep disturbances in autism – resulting in a more rested, peaceful night sleep for the entire family!
Max The Monkey Nightlight with Soothing Melodies (learningspaceuk.co.uk)
Gro Anywhere Blackout Blind
Sleep disturbances in autism are far more common than a lot of people realize, and let me tell you, if I’d had one of these as a small child then I would have slept like a baby, and so would my parents! It’s very common for children to want a nightlight on whilst sleeping, but what about those who prefer the darkness?
This amazing Gro Anywhere Blackout Blind will help result in healthier sleeping habits as it completely blocks out all light to help create a dark and sleepy space for your child with autism. Don’t believe me? Try it out for yourself!
Gro Anywhere Blackout Blind (learningspaceuk.co.uk)
By incorporating these sleep aids into your child's nighttime routine, you can significantly improve their sleep quality and overall well-being – resulting in a more emotionally balanced lifestyle for the entire household.
Let us know if this blog has been helpful and if any of these suggestions have improved your child’s sleep routine – feedback can be greatly beneficial in order for us to offer more suggestions, tips and tricks to other parents out there looking for some advice on how to help their autistic child sleep better at night. Share with us your own personal effective sleep solutions, we’d love to hear them!
All my love and best wishes for a good night’s sleep,
Lorraine xx
Visit our website to explore these products and more to find the perfect solution for your child's needs:
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