Sleep Deprivation is a monumental issue for many families living with autism spectrum disorder. Not only is the child impacted by the lack of required sleep, but the parent who stays up with the child is equally impacted.
Exasperated parents have certainly tried just about everything…but maybe there is something that you have yet to try? Back in April, we shared some great solutions in our post, Do Your and Your Child Have Trouble Getting Your Zzz’s?
Some doctors may prescribe a conventional sleep aid, but use caution, as these narcotic based sleep aids can be habit forming and create morning drowsiness. In addition, too much of these narcotics can lower the heart rate, blood pressure and slow breathing to potentially dangerous levels.
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| Reines |
Executive Director of the National Holistic Chamber of Commerce, Karen Reines, recommends working with a professional health and wellness practitioner skilled at working with herbs and children. “With autistic children, each child is so uniquely different, as are the causes of their autism, there is no one cure-all solution, holistic or otherwise.”
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| Dr. Wald |
Dr. Michael Wald of Integrated Medicine and Nutrition, suggests identifying potential life stressors, first. Take a look at what might be going on in the child’s world creating stress such as “marital problems between parents” or school related issues such as “fear of failure, bullying, feelings of not belonging, feelings of inadequacy, etc.”
- Teach simple breathing techniques
- simply slow down the breath, resulting in relaxation of the nervous system
- may “reset” the stress response
- Slow physical movements to relax the nervous system
- Reframe stressful events
- with the help of a skilled therapist to prevent internalizing stress
- Express love to the child
- playing with the child at their level increases the child’s sense of security
- Promote healthy social interactions with other kids the child’s age
Melatonin?
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| Dr. Bramhall |
Dr Stuart Jeanne Bramhall, a child and adolescent psychiatrist with 30 years clinical experience usually prescribes Melatonin for children with autistic spectrum disorder. “It’s long term safety profile has been fairly well studied. Melatonin dosages between 3-12 mg have been studied in kids, but I recommend that parents get medical advice if they’re going to give it long term.”
Dr. Wald cautions that hormonal problems may result from the use of botanicals such as “growth problems due to interference with growth hormone”. For example, “Melatonin can down regulate the production of several hormones having to do with growth. Although not scientifically clear, we do know that melatonin can do as much harm as it can do good. Melatonin for adults can help sleep quality by resetting circadian rhythms, but just because something is useful in some places does not mean it is appropriate for children.”
Calming Solutions are considered ‘calmatives’ and are mostly available as a tea. Chamomile and Lemon Balm are two primary calmatives. We used Chamomile with my older boys. They would often request their evening dose of “nighty night tea” and it always worked like a charm. My younger set does not care for the taste…yet.
Sedating Solutions reduce excitability and are used for occasional sleeplessness as opposed to ongoing insomnia. Caution should be used with these types of herbs as they cause drowsiness and impair motor functions.
Valerian root is most commonly recommended as clinical studies have demonstrated that it significantly speeds up the time it takes to fall asleep. This particular herb may cause morning drowsiness like it’s pharmaceutical comrads. In some, it may cause a paradoxical reaction and stimulate the individual.
Hops is another common sedative that is recommended. It is available in a tea, capsule, tablet or liquid extract. Caution: It is a powerful relaxant.
Although Valerian and Hops among other botanicals are frequently recommended, Dr. Bramhall cautions that “there is virtually no research regarding the long term safety in children of herbs such as valerian and hops, which function as drugs in the doses used to put people to sleep.”
Dr. Bramhall suggests a “hops pillow”, a much safer alternative to oral consumption. Make your own.
Be sure to schedule sufficient time to sleep. Create consistency and set a bed time and wake up time that you can stick with. Be sure to get out in the sunlight during the day. Exercise daily but not too late at night. Relax and begin winding down as bed time approaches.
Herbal solutions should be used through consultation with a health care provider and in conjunction with a holistic program that takes into account diet, exercise and lifestyle adjustments that work best for your family.
- avoid heavy foods late at night
- avoid spicy meals
- create a clear mind as bed time approaches
- warm glass of milk for the L-tryptophan
- warm/hot bath with a few drops of lavender essential oil added
- examine and reduce stress levels
- remove stimulating foods such as sugar, white flower, caffeine and candy
- get ample exercise through play
About Tiffani Lawton, R.N.
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