Autism and Sleep: How to Help Your Child Sleep Through the Night
A good night’s rest isn’t guaranteed for anyone, but it is downright elusive for many people with autism. Individuals on the spectrum often have trouble falling and staying asleep. And that may worsen certain features of their condition, such as repetitive behaviors, which can, in turn, make sleeping even more difficult. Given this disruptive feedback loop, sleep problems are among the most urgent concerns for families grappling with autism. But so far, this also happens to be among the least-studied aspects of autism.
Table of Contents
The Connection Between Autism and Sleep Problems
Are Sleep Problems Common with Autism?
What Sleep Problems Do Autistic Children Have?
Do Autistic Babies and Toddlers Have Trouble Sleeping?
Why Do People With Autism Have Difficulty Sleeping?
What Kind of Effects Do Sleep Problems Have?
How Do I Know Whether My Child Has a Sleep Disorder?
How to Get an Autistic Child to Sleep Through the Night
The Connection Between Autism and Sleep Problems
Research into the “autism-sleep connection” is ongoing, but we know that the brain’s regulation of circadian rhythms (our internal clock) often functions differently in neurodivergent individuals. For many, the transition from wakefulness to sleep isn’t a smooth slide, but a jagged hurdle. Many parents find themselves asking, “do autistic kids not sleep,” when in reality, their bodies are simply operating on a different biological schedule.
Are Sleep Problems Common with Autism?
While a foundational 2019 study suggested that between 40% and 80% of autistic preschoolers have disrupted sleep, more recent clinical data has narrowed this gap, showing that in some populations, the prevalence of chronic sleep issues reaches as high as 83% to 86%.
Sleep problems are consistently found to be twice as common among children with ASD as they are among neurotypical children or those with other developmental conditions.
The biggest sleep problems among these children include:
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Inconsistent bedtime routines
- Restlessness or poor sleep quality
- Waking early and waking frequently
What Sleep Problems Do Autistic Children Have?
While every child is unique, autistic sleep disturbances usually fall into a few specific categories:
Insomnia and Autism
Insomnia is the most prevalent issue. On average, it takes autistic individuals 11 minutes longer to fall asleep than neurotypical peers. This is often linked to anxiety or the inability to “shut down” the brain’s processing of the day’s events.
Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS)
Many children with autism experience DSPS, where their internal clock is shifted significantly later. They may not feel “tired” until long after midnight, making traditional school schedules or early mornings extremely difficult.
Night Terrors and Frequent Waking
Autistic children often spend less time in REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep—about 15% compared to 23% in neurotypical children. This lack of deep, restorative sleep can lead to frequent night wakings or night terrors, where the child appears to wake up in a state of intense fear.
Do Autistic Babies and Toddlers Have Trouble Sleeping?
Although there isn’t a set age, children on the autism spectrum often start showing signs of sleep problems at around the age of 2. Many parents find themselves researching does an autism child sleep well compared to their peers, only to find that these disturbances are often chronic. These issues can linger throughout childhood and into adulthood if not addressed with specific sensory or behavioral interventions.
Why Do People With Autism Have Difficulty Sleeping?
Researchers don’t know for sure why autistic children have problems with sleep, but they have several theories.
- Genetic Mutations: Some autistic individuals have mutations in genes that govern the sleep-wake cycle.
- Melatonin Irregularity: The body uses an amino acid called tryptophan to create melatonin. Research shows tryptophan levels can be irregular in autistic children, causing them to release melatonin at the wrong times (high during the day, low at night).
- Sensory Sensitivities: A creaking floorboard or the texture of a pajama tag can be “loud” enough to snap an autistic child out of a deep sleep.
- Co-occurring Conditions: GI issues (cramps/constipation), ADHD (and stimulant medications), and anxiety all create physical barriers to rest.
What Kind of Effects Do Sleep Problems Have?
Not getting a good night’s sleep can have a serious impact on a child’s life and overall health. Research has shown that, in children with autism, there is a connection between lack of sleep and the following characteristics:
- Aggression
- Depression
- Hyperactivity
- Increased behavioral problems
- Irritability
- Poor learning and cognitive performance
If your child isn’t sleeping, there’s a good chance you aren’t, either. One study showed that the parents of children with autism sleep less, have poorer sleep quality, and wake up earlier than parents of children without autism.
How Do I Know Whether My Child Has a Sleep Disorder?
Every child needs a slightly different amount of sleep. In general, these are the amounts of sleep children required by age:
- Ages 1-3: 12-14 hours of sleep per day (take into account whether your child naps)
- Ages 3-6: 10-12 hours of sleep per day
- Ages 7-12: 10-11 hours of sleep per day
If your child regularly has difficulty falling asleep or wakes up repeatedly throughout the night, it might be a sign of a sleep problem. To know for sure, make an appointment with your child’s pediatrician. The doctor may refer you to a sleep specialist or an ear, nose, and throat doctor.
Keep a sleep diary for a week to track how much and when your child is sleeping. You may include any snoring, changes in breathing patterns, unusual movements, or difficulty breathing. It may help to write down observations about your child’s behavior the following day. You can share this diary with your child’s doctor and any specialist involved in treatment.
How to Get an Autistic Child to Sleep Through the Night
Sleep medications should only be used with children as a last resort. There are a number of lifestyle changes and routines that can improve sleep time and quality for kids with autism spectrum disorder.
Establishing Healthy Autistic Sleep Patterns
- The “Power Down” Hour: Shut down screens and high-stimulation toys 60 minutes before bed. Blue light suppresses melatonin production.
- Sensory Optimization: Use blackout curtains, weighted blankets (if preferred), and “white noise” machines to mask sudden sounds. Ensure bedding matches your child’s tactile preferences.
- Visual Schedules: Use a visual “first-then” board to show the steps of the routine (e.g., First: Bath, Then: Book, Then: Bed).
- Bright Light Therapy: Discuss morning light exposure with a specialist to help “reset” the circadian rhythm.
- Melatonin Supplements: Consult your pediatrician. Many find that small, timed doses of melatonin help normalize the sleep cycle effectively.