Feeling sleepy? Its not uncommon for Autistics!
Did you know up to 80% of Autistics experience troubles with sleep? 
The first time I heard this I almost fell over. It made me realise that with such high coocurrence, that any family presenting for medical help may infact be autistic – and research supports this may be an early sign for a pathway to diagnosis.
A lot of parents have spare mattresses beside their beds, for people who need to co-sleep near their safe person to be able to regulate and achieve slumber.
Our sleep issues are significant.
We have trouble getting to sleep. Staying asleep. Some of us sleep walk or talk. Some of us need help and support to get to sleep. Some of us sleep too hard – which means we sleep through body signals such as going to the toilet.
Lots of Autistic families have strict routines around bedtime, that are needed to amplify maximum sleep for their households.
Sleep troubles mean we might miss out on going to sleepovers, or joining in our peers at school camps. Because we can’vt just sleep like everyone else.
Without a good night’s sleep, it makes it hard for us to do the things. It makes it hard for us to study, for us to work, to not be agitated by the sensory impact of daily life.
If only we could all just sleep well!
