SLEEP
10 Ways an Assistance Dog
Can Help Your ASD Child Sleep
By Caroline PRESTON
Studies show that a child with autism
spectrum disorder (ASD) is likely to ex-
perience more sleep issues than a child
who is not on the spectrum.
A
child with autism may find it harder to get to
sleep, to stay asleep, and sleep earlier in the
day. Frequently, the bedtime routine can be
challenging for a child with autism, and wak-
ing up at a set time can be impossible. Con-
tinued lack of sleep leaves both child and parent
drained, exhausted, and often anxious.
Specialists say there are many characteristics of a
child with autism that can contribute to this poor
quality of sleep. It is believed to be the result of light
and sound sensitivity, the probable lack of the sleep
hormone melatonin, allergies or seizures, and diffi-
culty in transitioning from a day routine to a night
routine.
Abigail S. was diagnosed with autism 10 years ago.
She suffers from severe anxiety, depression, and is a
selective mute. Her mother, Sara, explained that Ab-
igail would be up until 2 or 3 a.m. nearly every night
trying to get to sleep.
“I would be woken by Abigail several times through
the night, looking for comfort as she became very
frustrated and exhausted,” Sara said. “This went on
for many years until she had her assistance dog,
‘Breeze.’ Now she can’t wait to go to her bedroom
to be alone with her assistance dog and best friend.
Abigail will now go to her room around 10 p.m. and
before midnight they are both sound asleep. I am no
longer woken in the night and I’m feeling so much
better in myself, too. If Abigail wakes up in the night,
then now it’s Breeze that comforts her until she drifts
back off. She is so much happier. We can’t believe the
change in her.”
50 | Autism Parenting Magazine | Issue 68