What is it about Autism in children that causes a disrupted sleep routine?
Lauren Wilkinson from Lullaby Bear Sleep Support joins us for this article to share how finding the root cause can help.
Lauren is a mum to two boys (aged 1 and 3) and when the two of them struggled with sleep, she was inspired to become a baby, child and autism sleep coach for children aged 0-10 years. She work with families 1:1 to create bespoke sleep plans to help them achieve their sleep goals. And she joins us today to help share her expertise, sharing the importance of finding the root cause for why a child with autism may be struggling to sleep.
Thanks Lauren for your help!
Autism And Sleep In Children: What Are Some Of the Common Signs?
Autism and sleep challenges can often come hand in hand. This is not to say that if your child has Autism, that they are going to have sleep troubles, but there can be a common link.
Sleep challenges that are regularly seen in children with Autism include but are not limited to:
Frequent night wakings
Struggling to switch off for bedtime
Late bedtimes
Early wake ups
Prolonged night wakes.
Sleep challenges for any family can have a huge impact on not just the child but the other family members too.
When it comes to helping resolve these sleep challenges, parents will frequently turn to their friends and family or Google. The advice given is very well meaning but it doesn’t always work. Traditional sleep support methods are on the whole not suited to children with Autism. We need to find the root cause for the sleep disruption which involves looking at their day as a whole. Let’s look at the different areas that can cause sleep problems for children with Autism.
Melatonin
Firstly, I would just like to just briefly cover a topic that I am frequently asked about and that is melatonin. The hormone melatonin is also known as the “darkness hormone”. This is because it aids us in falling and staying asleep.
Children with Autism have been found to have lower levels of melatonin so they can find switching off in the evening difficult. A medical professional can prescribe a melatonin supplement, but it is important to note that this is just one part of helping your child with their sleep.
You can explore further causes of why your child is having disrupted nights sleep, for instance they may be struggling to also wind down in the evening if they are experiencing anxiety or if their sensory needs are not being met in the day. Both of these areas will also be explored in this article.
Bedtime Routine
It is important for all children to have a consistent bedtime routine in place no matter who is doing bedtime. Constant changes to the routine can make it difficult for them to know when it is bedtime and also what is expected of them. It can also contribute to anxiety at bedtime, as they are unsure of what is going to happen next.
A bedtime routine does not have to be complicated. It can be as simple as bath, pjs, drink/milk, teeth, story and then bed. It is important to note that if you find certain activities, like bath time, too over stimulating for your child, you may want to consider moving bathtime to another time of the day.
Something that can really help keep you and your child on track at bedtime is having a visual bedtime routine set up. You can make cards with your child to support this i.e. cartoon images of different parts of the bedtime routine, or your child may prefer to have actual pictures of their bed, toothbrush etc. It is best to keep it as simple as you can, so you may only have 4-6 cards. When it comes to introducing the visual routine, model using it yourself and reduce the demand on them by just casually sliding the card to them and see how they react before talking through the next step. It will take time for them to get used to the visual aids but consistency is key.
Meeting their Sensory Needs
It is important to consider whether your child’s sensory needs are being met in the day as this can have a huge impact on their sleep. If they are at school or nursery, are they being given chances to self regulate during the day? Before bedtime, are they being over-stimulated by certain activities? It is important to look at the day as a whole. You could start a log to note if there are any patterns to activities during the day and their sleep being impacted.
Sleep Environment
When it comes to your child’s sleep environment there are multiple things that can cause sensory triggers which can make falling and staying asleep very difficult for your child.
Here is a a list of the areas you can explore when working on your child’s sleep:
Noises: Are there any noises in your child’s room that could be triggering them? For instance a buzzing noise from an appliance? Are you playing white noise? White noise can be too over stimulating for your child. A nice alternative is using a fan or a meditation track.
Smells: Is the smell of dinner trapped in the bedroom? Are you using a strong smelling laundry detergent?
Clothing and bedding: Are there buttons or labels on their clothes that could feel uncomfortable? Consider the material of their pjs and bedding. They may feel scratchy or too tight for your child.
Lights: Are there any lights on the appliances in the room? Is there a lot of light being let in through the curtains/door?
Anxiety
One of the most common causes of bedtime disruption for children with Autism is anxiety. Anxiety could be caused by events during the day, not having enough time to self regulate and by the bedtime routine itself. This is why it is very important to consider all the areas that have been outlined already as just by implementing a visual routine or removing a sensory trigger from the room can reduce their anxiety greatly.
Expressing emotions can be incredibly difficult for a child with Autism. When working on expressing emotions it is best to start off with just 2 emotions; happy and sad and then as they grow more confident you can add in more complex emotions such as worried, scared and angry. You can introduce visual aid cards so they can show you their emotions without verbally having to tell you. Once again, like with the bedtime routine visual aids it is good to model using the emotion cards yourself.
Other uses for Visual Aids
Visual aids have many uses and can be adapted to the needs of every child. They are a great way to help build your child’s confidence and their independence. As spoken about previously they are very helpful when it comes to the bedtime routine but you can also use them for other times of the day, for instance the morning routine or getting ready for school.
Another great visual aid is a “Now and Next” board. This is perfect if your child struggles with transitioning between activities. These could be used alongside a visual timer.
For older children, a “To Do” board can be very effective at helping them feel a sense of achievement when it comes to completing those everyday jobs like homework and tidying their room. It helps them visually see what needs to be done and they can tick it off as they go along.
Starting your own visual boards for your child can feel overwhelming at the start. But keep it simple and be led by them on the images. You can also find many templates online.
As you can see there are a lot of different areas to look at when it comes to sleep and Autism. You may be thinking, where do I start? Take it one step at a time and remember any change you make will take time for your child to adjust to and for you to see an impact. Patience and consistency are key but remember to celebrate every step of progress on the journey.
Finding Support For Your Children – Autism And Sleep
If you are looking for Autism support in your family, we recommend consulting your GP or contacting an organisation who specialises in the subject. The NHS has a list of recommendations that could help.
Thanks so much to Lauren Wilkinson for offering her advice on the subject! It really is useful to find out more about this subject from an expert.
Check out Lullaby Bear Sleep Support, Certified Baby, Child and Autism Sleep Coach (0-10 years old) through her website or follow her on Instagram.
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area. From music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
Looking for some fun Diwali activities for your toddlers this October? We’ve got you covered!
Whether it’s to help toddlers to understand their own culture or to learn someone else’s, Diwali is a fun experience for people of all ages. And there’s lots of different ways you can explore this holiday.
Read on to find out how you can celebrate the festival of lights!
1. Creating your Own Rangoli
A beautiful arty floor decoration that you and the kids can get involved in!
What is Rangoli?
Rangoli is a form of folk art which originated in the Indian subcontinent, where it’s still widely practised today. Rangoli consist of bright, colourful and intricate designs, and they serve a religious and symbolic purpose – to welcome Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, as well as any visiting guests. They can be made with a variety of different materials, including limestone, quartz powder, cereal powders, rocks, even flowers.
If you would rather keep your Diwali toddler crafts off the floor, then there’s a super cute paper plate Rangoli craft by ‘Red Ted Art’ that you can do instead over here
2. Put together a ‘Firework’ Sensory Tray
Sensory trays never go a miss for toddlers. They’re a great way to develop your little ones motor skills and helps them to explore the textures of all sorts of different items.
We’ve seen an absolutely wonderful ‘firework’ sensory tray (by Louisa at the Mums Creative Cupboard) that just takes some salt, black paint and sparkly card.
There’s lots of crafts and activities you can do at home, but if you’re short on time and you’d like to find some easy ready-made activity sheets, then Twinkl offers a lot of free resources.
We did a quick search on their site and found these. Check them out!
4. Diwali activities for toddlers: Make your own Torans
A beautiful hanging decoration, and a Diwali inspired toddler craft you can make at home with your little ones.
What is a Toran?
Toran is a traditional hanging piece of art, often seen in Indian households during festive occasions like Diwali. This idea originally came from wanting to make homes feel welcoming, as to attract the goddess of wealth, Lakshmiji. It’s a beautiful piece and fits perfectly into the archways of doors and at the entrance of homes.
There’s a ton of easy tutorials out there on how to make your own Toran with your kids. We’ve linked just one above that you could try, but there are tons of beautiful papercraft ideas on the internet. Look around and see what catches your eye!
5. Diwali Hand Art
An easy one, but definitely one to help your toddlers feel creative! Get out the colourful card and draw around your toddler’s hand. Then get out your little ones usual craft supplies. Whether that’s crayons, or plastic gems with child-safe glue. And then let your child decorate! There’s no rules for this one. Just let your child explore the different designs they can make on their paper hand.
6. Eat Indian Sweets
Malpua, Badam Halwa, Milk Pedha, Kaju Katli: there’s so many delicious traditional sweets that will be a perfect way for your little ones to enjoy celebrating Diwali. Either by buying them in, or making them yourself! If you’re looking for inspiration, try out one of these many recipes from Mom Junction.
7. Make Paper Lanterns
Here’s a great tutorial by Crayola that will be fairly straight-forward to follow. (Though your little one may need some help when it comes to using scissors!)
8. Flower Lamp Craft
This one is a super simple one for your toddler, and all you need is a toilet tube, paints, and an LED tealight candle. Just cut your toilet tube in half, cut 5 times around the edge and cut each section into the shape of petals. Paint it up, wait for it to dry, and then pop an LED tealight inside. One easy flower lamp done!
Read the full instructions written by ‘The Joy of Sharing’ here.
9. Read stories together about Diwali
One of the best activities to unite and celebrate Diwali with your toddlers is to share stories with your little one. There’s a few children’s books out there that would be appropriate to share, but one of the main stories is the story of Rama.
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
Looking for recommendations for the best baby development toys?
Helen Holding, Growth Admin Assistant for Team Happity, shares her experience of using the KiwiCo’s Subscription Crate, alongside her personal favourite products that she’s received through her time as a long-term customer!
You can get your first box with 50% off. Click here and use discount code HAPPITY.
I first came across KiwiCo when I was pregnant with my little girl, Lyra. I knew they made science kits for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) learning through play for kids. But then I heard they had these kits from newborn upwards.
I was very curious to find out how a newborn can learn science, so I bought a subscription. Straight away I could see that KiwiCo is amazing and has some of the best baby development toys. Lyra loves it!
Here are my five top reasons that I have stayed with KiwiCo.
1. Most Of My Favourite Toys Have Come From KiwiCo
Each crate comes with beautifully made baby development toys (a lot of them wooden) and a board book. Also a magazine giving information on the next stage of development, as well as flash cards with game/ activity ideas.
Some of our favourites are the “milestone cushion”. This comes with cards and a slot to put these cards in for your monthly milestone photos. On the back of the cards there are suggestions on what to keep records of, such as your baby’s weight and number of teeth. Another recent favourite is a threading toy- a wooden peg on a stick with some large beads to thread on. This encourages hand eye coordination, motor skills and problem solving. It’s really fun to see her work out how to use it!
2. These Toys Grow With Your Baby, So Each Box Brings All The Toys You Need For The Next Developmental Stage
We are getting Panda Crates, as these are the boxes aimed at children under 3 years old. My daughter will be two next month. When you sign up, you give your baby’s date of birth. This means that the crates can develop at the same rate as your baby! So when it is time to start learning a particular motor skills, these toys will be delivered to you. You don’t need to research what you should be showing your baby/toddler next.
The crates have been designed by exports in child health, behaviour and development. So you can have confidence that these toys and activities are right for your little one.
3. Learning and Engagement: Toys and Activities To Help Them Learn About The World Around Them.
The world is completely new to our little ones, so everything needs to be explored. I love that a lot of our KiwiCo toys are baby friendly versions of everyday objects. Such as a reusable tissue box. The box itself is a soft bean bag, and the tissues are washable pieces of fabric. Since it was one of Lyra’s favourite pastimes as a baby (to pull all of the tissues out of boxes), this is a real win!
4. Motor Skills & Hands On Play
Seeing how each toy helps develop skills is so rewarding as a parent. One of the toys we love is a “connect four” style dropping discs into a grid with slots. It is amazing to see Lyra learn about dropping these into the slots, and how it does not work if that column is already full!
5. Time Spent Playing Together Is Amazing Bonding Time
The time we spend reading books together, playing with the toys we receive, is so special. There’s something for every part of our daily routine. We really love the bath time book. This is a black and white book that magically fills with colour when wet, perfect for bath time! Seeing your baby grow and learn is one of the best things about being a parent.
Once I tried out KiwiCo, I Was Won Over
KiwiCo cartes start from newborn all the way to big kids. And for grown ups that love to keep learning too! I really recommend to anyone with little ones of all ages. I’m looking forward to seeing what our next crate brings!
You can get your first box with 50% off. Click here and use discount code HAPPITY.
KiwiCo have paid a fee towards this post. This fee will go towards helping more parents find classes and support near them.
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
What are the best home remedies you can use to help with leg cramps during your pregnancy? We asked Team Happity!
Leg cramps are one of the most common occurrences during pregnancy. And we’ve all been there when you’re laid in bed at 3am with absolutely no chance of sleeping because your leg just aches so much.
What can we do to help prevent leg cramps during pregnancy? And what can we do to try and ease them when they occur?
Read on to find out what the mums at Team Happity advised!
1. Swimming, Yoga, And All Kinds Of Movement
One of the things that the majority of parents on Team Happity suggested was being active. Movement (especially swimming!) helps to gently move the muscle and ease out some of the locked-up tension. While it’s difficult to get moving sometimes while you have a leg cramp, it should start to get better the more you move around.
2. Bananas – Relieving Leg Cramps During Pregnancy
Yes, your read right. Bananas! A couple of people on our Team said that Bananas (or, more specifically, potassium) was meant to be good for leg cramps. We did a little digging, and according to Harvard Health, it’s true! Bananas are not only full of potassium, but magnesium too (another ingredient that’s good for leg cramps!). They also suggested eating leafy greens like kale and black beans.
3. A Nice Warm Bath
Not hot, not cold, but nice and warm. Baths are always recommended for those who have muscle aches and pains, and it’s no different for those mums struggling with leg cramps. Get out the bubble bath, light up a candle or two, and sit yourself in the bath for half an hour (or more).
4. Get A Chair That’s Sturdy & Upright (And A Stool!)
Good back support can do wonders when you’re struggling with cramps. Which is a shame, because we all love to crash on a sofa after a long day! But if you’re struggling with leg cramps during pregnancy, then this might be a great alternative for you.
“I bought a cheap cocktail chair from TK Maxx that was sturdy and upright with a foot stool,” said Lisa T, Happity’s Head of Customer Support & People. “A slouchy sofa was so painful. I still have that chair and love it!”
5. Magnesium – Relieving Leg Cramps During Pregnancy
Magnesium is often recommended for all kinds of cramps, as it plays a role in neuromuscular transmission and muscle contractions. A member of our team suggested that supplements and also bath salts worked wonders for her leg cramps.
There isn’t a ton of evidence to support this theory, but we’d definitely encourage you to get in touch with your GP to find out what they think. And if they don’t think it will help, they may be able to suggest a good alternative. Remember, we’re not health professionals – we’re just parents who were looking for pain relief when we were pregnant!
6. Wear Shoes With Good Support
If you start finding that you’re getting unshakable leg cramps during your pregnancy, then it would be a good idea to look into whether your shoes are offering the right amount of support. Flat pumps and flip-flops can strain your calf muscles and make your cramps even worse. Opt instead for shoes with a slight heel.
7. Include More Salt In Your Diet
One of the reasons you may be experiencing more cramps in your leg is a lack of salt in your diet. While too much salt in your diet can be unhealthy, it is also needed for your body to function properly. Sodium is vital to regulate fluid balance in the body, and often athletes are encouraged to make sure they eat enough salt as leg or muscle cramps can occur for them too!
Consider pregnancy an athletic sport. If you think you may be lacking salt in your diet, try including a bit more.
8. Elevate Your Leg
This is in general the advice given to most people when they have aches and pains. Elevating the muscle that’s in pain reduces swelling and helps to relax the area. If you’re sitting down for long periods, then try to elevate the cramping leg while you’re doing so.
9. Drink Lots (And Lots) Of Water!
With most health issues, the answer tends to be drinking more water. It’s surprising how many issues can find relief by making sure you’re drinking TONS of water and staying hydrated throughout the day.
If You Start To Experience Severe Stomach Cramps, Consult Your GP.
While aches and pains are normal through pregnancy (your body is going through an awful lot during this time!), our recommendation if you start to experience stomach cramps is to consult your GP or midwife. While it might be nothing, the area is a sensitive one during this period, and it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Disclaimer: We have researched and included robust sources to provide information in this article. However, we are not health or medical professionals and you should always seek medical advice if you are worried about your baby’s health.
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
Are you a parent to a baby/toddler, out pounding the pavements every day with buggy and nappy bag in tow? Or perhaps you’ve got older children, but your knowledge of cafes, community centres or WhatsApp groups where you live is still unrivalled. Or maybe you’re a class provider who could recite every baby-friendly venue in the area, putting ChatGPT to shame…?
However you gained your wonderful local knowledge: if you love your community, and want to help tackle loneliness for the new parents who live there, (while earning some great rewards along the way!), we’d love you to become a Happity Local Expert.
How does it work?
As a Local Expert, you’ll earn points for helping us grow Happity in your city – things like telling us about classes and venues which aren’t on the site, putting up flyers in your local cafes, and posting info in Facebook and WhatsApp groups. (Our Expert ‘mini-missions’!)
Every 5 points you earn can be exchanged for £5 in Amazon vouchers, to spend on everything from nappies to a new TV!
You’ll be helping local mums, dads and caregivers to escape the four walls…
… by getting out to classes and groups nearby.
Looking after babies and toddlers can be really hard, and we know so many new parents struggle on alone, not realising there are probably tons of places to brighten up the day – for them and their little one – within walking distance!
With the help of Local Experts across the country, we’re on a mission to change all that, and make sure every new parent gets the chance to build fun, supportive, and joyful moments into their week.
I’d love to join the team, how do I apply?
Great! Simply fill out the form below to tell us a bit about yourself, and we’ll get back to you with more details.
We’d especially love to hear from you if you’re in Bristol, Southampton or Portsmouth – but if you live somewhere else and want to help, please let us know! Fill in the form and we’ll be in touch as soon as we’re in your area!
How much time do I need?
There are no fixed hours or days of the week – you can do the mini-missions whenever suits you, and for however much time you have. Lots of our lovely Local Experts are on parental leave, or working part-time, but this is not essential.
Tell me about the Local Expert rewards
You’ll earn rewards for completing the following mini-missions in your local area:
Tell us about classes
You’ll get 1 point for every class not already on the Happity database.
Tell us about venues
You’ll get 1 point for every venue not already on Happity. The venue should have baby or toddler classes running.
Flyers and noticeboards
You’ll get 2 points for every noticeboard where you pin up a Happity flyer, in places like cafes and GP surgeries. Don’t worry, we’ll post your flyer pack to you when you come on board as a Local Expert.
Facebook and WhatsApp groups
You’ll get 1 point for every post in local groups online. No-one likes spam, including us, so these will need to be relevant to the conversation and permitted by the group rules. We can give you some more guidance on that once you come on board.
Every 5 points you earn can be exchanged for £5 in Amazon vouchers. Simple!
How do I register?
Ready to share your brilliant local knowledge, help new parents get out and about in your community, and earn rewards for your time along the way? We can’t wait to hear from you! Send us a few details and we’ll be back in touch if we looking for Experts where you live.
Recent Comments