{"id":6079,"date":"2020-09-17T07:06:56","date_gmt":"2020-09-17T07:06:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/autismwales.org\/?page_id=6079"},"modified":"2021-09-27T10:14:19","modified_gmt":"2021-09-27T10:14:19","slug":"sleep-difficulties-in-children-with-autism","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/neurodivergencewales.org\/en\/parents-carers\/information-for-an-autistic-child\/advice-sheets\/sleep-difficulties-in-children-with-autism\/","title":{"rendered":"Sleep Difficulties in Children with Autism"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"6079\" class=\"elementor elementor-6079\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-55c0613c elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"55c0613c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4b168ada\" data-id=\"4b168ada\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64921f12 white-icon elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"64921f12\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fal fa-child\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-30417aa4\" data-id=\"30417aa4\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ee55618 white-heading elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-title elementor-page-title elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1ee55618\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Sleep Difficulties in Children with Autism<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-92ae03f white-breadcrumbs elementor-widget elementor-widget-breadcrumbs\" data-id=\"92ae03f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"breadcrumbs.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p id=\"breadcrumbs\"><span><span><a href=\"https:\/\/neurodivergencewales.org\/en\/\">Home<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4f1b792f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4f1b792f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-wider\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7e72957a\" data-id=\"7e72957a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a0f35b9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2a0f35b9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Children can have difficulty sleeping for a variety of reasons, and difficulties appear to occur more frequently in children with Autism. There are many factors that can contribute to sleep difficulties.<\/p><p><strong>Other Conditions<\/strong><br \/>Sometimes another condition or its treatment can impact on sleep including:<\/p><ul><li>Being unwell, or having another physical illness<\/li><li>Having another condition that causes hyperactivity or restlessness (such as ADHD)<\/li><li>Taking medication that has an impact on sleep<\/li><\/ul><p><strong><br \/>If these apply to your child, you should still try to follow this advice to help improve sleep patterns.<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Sensory Issues<\/strong><br \/>Children with autism may be more sensitive to noise or light than another child and this can sometimes be a cause of sleep issues.<\/p><p>If this is the case, reducing the sensory stimulation in the environment can help to improve sleep, try to:<\/p><ul><li>reduce light by using a black out blind or curtain that is well fitted.<\/li><li>use a draught excluder to prevent light entering from under the door.<\/li><li>ensure that \u2018standby lights\u2019 on equipment are not visible.<\/li><li>reduce noise, and check for sounds you would not usually notice such as radiator or central heating noise.<\/li><li>if possible, give your child their own room so that they are not disturbed by others.<\/li><li>ensure room is free from clutter, and that clothes and toys are put away.<\/li><li>minimise the stimulation from room d\u00e9cor by choosing pastel colours, un-patterned fabrics and minimal wall decorations.<\/li><\/ul><p><strong><br \/>Over Stimulation<\/strong><br \/>It is very difficult to fall asleep when your mind is overstimulated. It is important for a child to have some \u2018calming down\u2019 or \u2018relaxation\u2019 time before bedtime. Activities that can over stimulate a child include:<\/p><ul><li>physical play.<\/li><li>special interests that make the child \u2018excited\u2019.<\/li><li>video games, tablets, phones, TV, DVDs or other electronic devices.<\/li><li>arguments or fighting with siblings.<\/li><\/ul><p><br \/>To help your child relax before bedtime you could try:<\/p><ul><li>not allowing stimulating activities (listed above) for 1 hour before bedtime.<\/li><li>placing electronic equipment out of reach (if your child is struggling to follow the rules).<\/li><li>encouraging your child to have a bath and warm drink before bed.<\/li><li>read a book or do a puzzle with your child.<\/li><\/ul><p><strong><br \/>Daytime Activities<\/strong><br \/>Sometimes daytime activities can have an impact on the child\u2019s sleep patterns. If a child does not sleep well at night and is grumpy in the day as a result, it can be tempting to allow them a short nap in the day. However, this can trigger a pattern of daytime sleeping and night waking.<\/p><p>Also a lack of physical exercise or activity can lead to a child not being tired at bedtimes. Consuming caffeinated or \u2018energy\u2019 drinks during the day can also have a negative impact on sleep at night.<\/p><p>To improve sleep patterns you could try:<\/p><ul><li>not allowing your child to nap during the day (or reducing the nap time if your child is a toddler).<\/li><li>increasing physical activity \u2013 going for a walk, digging in the garden or bouncing on a trampoline can help.<\/li><li>not allowing your child to consume drinks containing caffeine such as tea, coffee, cola or \u2018energy drinks\u2019.<\/li><\/ul><p><strong><br \/>Regular Sleep Routines <\/strong><br \/>Establishing regular routines (which include a period of reduced stimulation before bed) is very important in establishing good sleeping patterns, and for children with autism this structure can be even more important.<\/p><ul><li>Routines should be consistent and therefore a set pattern of predictable activity before bedtime should be followed. An example of a sleep routine:<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-28011df elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"28011df\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-f139f86\" data-id=\"f139f86\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0db0f7b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0db0f7b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">7.00<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-1e8410e\" data-id=\"1e8410e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2fc7026 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2fc7026\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Tidy toys away, switch electronic equipment off<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-7e0776f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7e0776f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-3b47fcd\" data-id=\"3b47fcd\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ffbe0b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1ffbe0b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">7.10<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-7cb350b\" data-id=\"7cb350b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a9b529 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2a9b529\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Bath<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-f2b687a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f2b687a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-96667b0\" data-id=\"96667b0\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5010906 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5010906\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">7.30<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-dabfbe3\" data-id=\"dabfbe3\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a917384 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a917384\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Warm milk<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-23c8246 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"23c8246\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-f36fa44\" data-id=\"f36fa44\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c97537 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6c97537\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">7.40<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-6df643e\" data-id=\"6df643e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d63ed5a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d63ed5a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Brush teeth<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-b5e4f72 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b5e4f72\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-38adca8\" data-id=\"38adca8\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b457c0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8b457c0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">7.45<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-5b0485d\" data-id=\"5b0485d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c38ed62 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c38ed62\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Story<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-78932b6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"78932b6\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-2c7824d\" data-id=\"2c7824d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f449ad4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f449ad4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">8.00<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-66b1037\" data-id=\"66b1037\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ec7bf1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1ec7bf1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Bed<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4825fcc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4825fcc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>Children with autism may have difficulty in predicting and following routines (and coping with changes to routines) and so providing the routine in a visual structure can be helpful.<\/li><li>You can create a visual planner at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.AutismWales.org\/en\/parents-carers\/information-for-an-autistic-child\/childrens-picture-cards\/\">www.AutismWales.org\/en\/parents-carers\/information-for-an-autistic-child\/childrens-picture-cards\/<\/a>.<\/li><li>It can also be useful to include \u2018waking up\u2019 as an activity within the planner, to help to reassure the child that this will happen after sleep.<\/li><\/ul><p><strong><br \/>Settling to Sleep and Night waking<\/strong><br \/>Sometimes children wake frequently during the night. This is often at the \u2018lighter sleep\u2019 stage of the sleep cycle. At this stage of sleep, the child will naturally become aroused and will need to \u2018settle themselves\u2019 back to sleep. If your child is unable to \u2018settle\u2019 to sleep without the aid of a comforter (be that a blanket or parents!) when they first go to bed at night, they will be unlikely to be able to \u2018resettle\u2019 themselves during the night. It is therefore important to teach your child to \u2018settle\u2019 themselves to sleep at bedtime. If your child struggles with this, or you find yourself laying with your child to help them get off to sleep you could try:<\/p><ul><li>setting firm boundaries at bedtime, and removing yourself from the child\u2019s room before they fall to sleep.<\/li><li>not allowing your child into your bed to settle to sleep.<\/li><li>gradually withdrawing yourself from the \u2018sleep routine\u2019 (move from bed to next to bed, then near door, then outside door).<\/li><li>helping your child to find a way to settle themselves to sleep such as counting or tensing and relaxing muscles in turn from head to toe.<\/li><li>using a reward chart to reward the behaviour of \u2018staying in bed alone\u2019.<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>Help and Support <\/strong><br \/>Sleep difficulties can be very difficult to overcome, especially when you are tired or feeling stressed yourself. If sleep problems are causing many difficulties, seek the advice and support of a professional.<\/p><p><strong>For resources and further information about autism visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.AutismWales.org\">www.AutismWales.org<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-27d02745\" data-id=\"27d02745\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-6d747f78 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6d747f78\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-23a8d1cd\" data-id=\"23a8d1cd\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-259c9c44 elementor-widget__width-auto elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"259c9c44\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-icon\" href=\"https:\/\/neurodivergencewales.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/advice-sheet-sleep1.pdf\">\n\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fal fa-file-pdf\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7241e2a6 elementor-align-right elementor-widget__width-auto elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"7241e2a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/neurodivergencewales.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/advice-sheet-sleep1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-chevron-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Download PDF<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Children can have difficulty sleeping for a variety of reasons, and difficulties appear to occur more frequently in children with Autism. There are many factors that can contribute to sleep difficulties. Other ConditionsSometimes another condition or its treatment can impact on sleep including: Being unwell, or having another physical illness Having another condition that causes [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":231,"menu_order":6,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-6079","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Sleep Difficulties in Children with Autism - Niwrowahaniaeth Cymru | Neurodivergence Wales | National Neurodivergence Team<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/neurodivergencewales.org\/en\/parents-carers\/information-for-an-autistic-child\/advice-sheets\/sleep-difficulties-in-children-with-autism\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Sleep Difficulties in Children with Autism - Niwrowahaniaeth Cymru | Neurodivergence Wales | National Neurodivergence Team\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Children can have difficulty sleeping for a variety of reasons, and difficulties appear to occur more frequently in children with Autism. 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