sleep issues

[abby crandell]

I would love to have us sharing our sleep issues with our special kids. I have twins that do not sleep...until we went to the sleep medicine and research center here in St. Louis. We went last week and are now implementing the routine they suggested, tailored for us. It is incredible what I have learned. What kind of issues do your kids have with sleep at night and naps? What are your processes, your rituals or tricks of the trade that you use to help get your kids to nap and sleep at night? What about nightmares, (night terrors) confusion arousals, snoring and sleep walking? Do you know see behavior differences in you children when are not sleeping well, like poor eye contact, less attention to task, more meldowns? Does your child have better speech and coordination when he or she has slept well the night before or napped in the day and slept well at night? I would love to start a give and take about sleeping with others. I am full of info and ready to share and be shared with. Never too old to keep learning.

[Maureen Haut]

Hi Abby,
My kids are 17 & 18 and yes sleep was and still is crucial with both of them. Focus, concentration, meltdowns, depression, speech, coordination do add to the lack of sleep or the good amount of sleep they receive. I have seen it thruout their lives. Keep up the good work. Don't give in to anyone even if parties, events whatever disturb their sleep or rest periods. Sleep, naps, schedule, routine are crucial with autistic/special needs kids. Oh, by the way having a fan on, classical music playing, watch sugar content, and cuddling with them helped tremendously.
Keep up the good work!

[abby crandell]

You are so sweet to encourage me like this. Thanks for taking the time to write something helpful to me. We do have a fan on for white noise, and yes it makes a huge difference for me as well. I appreciate the tip on the sugar...that sometimes is an issue here with such poor diets. Sometimes I am just relieved to get anything into them, and need to be more aware of the amount of sugar going in them. We are cosleeping with each twins, in separte rooms and it is making a huge impact on them. We are seeing great progress already. We still have some crazy nights, but at least it is not every single night like before. We use melatonin with Michael, but usually don't give Kaylee any....but usually Michael naps and she doesn't. So, we are doing a lot better than we were a month ago...lots of progress and still lots more work to do. You take care and thanks for sharing with me.