Sleeping Solutions For Children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) & Autism
It is very common for children and adults who have Sensory Processing Disorder to struggle with sleeping difficulties.
I would suggest making a doctors appointment for a referral to have a sleep study done to receive the answers as to why they are not sleeping properly because sleeping difficulties can be caused by so many different conditions.
I know as an adult who has Sensory Processing Disorder how challenging it can be to get a good nights rest each night and I also know as a parent to a child who struggles with sensory differences how much they struggle to get proper rest each night.
Children with Sensory Processing Disorder and Autistic children often have difficulties sleeping. This can be a source of great frustration for both the child and their parents.
Many children with sensory differences have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early. The sensory sensitivities can make it challenging for them to relax and feel comfortable enough to fall asleep. They may also experience frequently waking throughout the night.
Children with sensory challenges often have difficulties with self-regulation and this can impact their sleep-wake cycle. They may have irregular sleep patterns and struggle to maintain a consistent bedtime routine. This can result in them feeling tired and fatigued during the day.
A sensory-friendly bedroom is so important for children with sensory processing disorder and Autism. This means creating a calming environment that minimizes sensory input.
- Use blackout curtains to block the light or a sound machine to block out external noise.
- Using a weighted blanket or compression sheets to provide a calming sensation
- Use dimmed lighting and avoiding screens before bedtime
Children with sensory processing disorder and Autism thrive with structure and consistency. Establishing a regular bedtime routine can help them relax and prepare for sleep. Calming sensory activities before bedtime like a bath, reading a book or listen to calming music can be helpful.
If the sleeping difficulties continue, it may be helpful to seek advice from a pediatric occupational therapist who specializes in sensory processing. They can offer sensory strategies and techniques tailored to the child's individual sensory needs. A consultation with a sleep specialist may also be beneficial for your child.
How Many Hours of Sleep Do Kids Need?
All children are different and require a different amount of sleep but these are general guidelines from the National Sleep Foundation
1 to 2 months old: 10 1/2 to 18 hours per day
3 to 11 months old: 9 to 12 hours per day
1 to 3 years old: 12 to 14 hours per day
3 to 5 years old: 11 to 13 hours per day
5 to 12 years old: 10 to 11 hours per day
12 to 18 years old: at least 8 1/2 hours per day
40 Sensory Ideas To Try For Sleeping Difficulties
1. Make sure bedroom is cool, dark and quiet
2. Exercise during the day
3. Avoid big meals before bedtime
4. Have a healthy bedtime routine
5. Same time for bed time each night
6. Listening to slow relaxing music or nature
7.White noise machine
8. Warm epsom salt bath
9. Don't drink soda or caffeine in the afternoon or before bed
10. Be consistent and don't give up!
11. No TV or screen time after dinner
12. As much sunlight during the day as possible
13. Dimmed lights after dinner and try a sleep mask at bedtime
14. Calming activities after dinner
15. Diffuse essential oils
16. Set a wake up time
17. One stuffie or favorite toy before bed, too many is too over stimulating
18. Soft bed sheets
19. Comfortable pajamas
20. Room darkening shades
21. A lot of reassurance they are safe and you are close by
22. Don't dismiss bed time fears, always address them
23. Your kiddos focus should be relaxing not going to sleep
24. Avoid all stimulating activities at least 6 hours before bed time
25. Always prepare your kiddo it's soon bed time, have a countdown
26. Use visual schedules
27. Bed time routines should be 20-30 minutes
28. Avoid singing or rocking your child to sleep, because if she wakes in the middle of the night she may need you to sing or rock her back to sleep (they need to learn to self sooth)
30. When your child yells out for you always wait a few moments before answering and try to engage as less as possible
31. Every time your child comes out of the bedroom, gently put them back into bed and remind them it is bedtime
32. Tools to overcome fears (flashlight, spray bottle of "monster spray" or a stuffie to "protect" them)
33. Reward system sticker chart and praise all good bedtime behaviors
34. Explain to your kiddo why a good sleep pattern is healthy and important
35. Egg timers to help your kiddo visually see time, it also helps with routine
36. Weighted blanket
37. Turn on a fan
38. Brushing and deep pressure massage before bedtime
39. Food that contains natural melatonin before bedtime
40. Wrap your kiddo in a burrito
Sensory Therapy Tools to Assist with Sleeping Difficulties
When little visitors want to sleep in your bed, but you don't want to be kicked in the head all night, set up their play couch as a bed for them right beside yours.
Barumba Play Kids' 11 Piece Play Couch
Enhance gross motor and problem-solving skills while playing with this multi-purpose toy the whole family will enjoy. Kids use the modular foam cushions to engage in physical activity and work on coordination, developing muscle tone and motor planning as they crawl through tunnels, climb up mountains or jump around in a game of the floor is lava. Sensory-seekers love the velvety soft machine-washable microsuede fabric covers.
Nighty Night KidSafe Essential Oil 10 ml
Does your child have occasional trouble calming down at night before bedtime? Nighty night helps create a more relaxed and calming atmosphere so that your child can relax before bedtime and promote a good night’s rest.
Does your child have occasional trouble calming down at night before bedtime? Nighty night helps create a more relaxed and calming atmosphere so that your child can relax before bedtime and promote a good night’s rest.
Differing from Sweet Dreams, Nighty Night is used for an overall relaxation and not just soothing the mind.
Apply topically to your child’s chest or back of their neck about 30 minutes before bedtime.
Apply topically to your child’s chest or back of their neck about 30 minutes before bedtime.
Specifically formulated for children ages 2-10. Contains the 100% pure, undiluted KidSafe essential oils of Lavender, Marjoram Sweet, Mandarin, Cedarwood Atlas, Patchouli, Clary Sage, Chamomile Roman, and Blue Tansy at a 2% dilution in FractionatedCoconut Carrier Oil.
Sensory Compression Blanket | Lycra Bed Sheet for Kids & Adults
Children and adults with conditions stated on the right often experience sensory overload. This may lead to meltdowns, irregular sleeping and poor attention. The compression sheet works in a way that's similar to a occupational therapy (OT) technique that is called touch pressure therapy (DTP). This input provides an overall calming effect by increasing endorphin and serotonin production.
Helps to calm and relax!
Children and adults with conditions stated on the right often experience sensory overload. This may lead to meltdowns, irregular sleeping and poor attention. The compression sheet works in a way that's similar to a occupational therapy (OT) technique that is called touch pressure therapy (DTP). This input provides an overall calming effect by increasing endorphin and serotonin production.
Helps to calm and relax!
By helping to calm these persons, deep touch pressure improves their ability to cope with stress and anxieties, giving them more control over their lives, hence allowing for a better quality of life.
Sensory Processing Disorder Weighted Blankets
Weighted blankets are a sensory tool that often Occupational Therapists recommend for children and adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, Anxiety and Autism Spectrum Disorders to assist with calming and sleep. The weight is intended to provide proprioceptive input to the brain, which has a calming and organizing effect on the central nervous system. Children with Sensory Processing Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorders crave pressure.
Weighted blankets should be 10% of body weight plus 1 pound. If your child weighs 40 pounds then that would be 4 pounds plus 1 more pound to make a 5 pound weighted blanket. Please follow these guild lines for safety.
Calming the Child KidSafe Essential Oil
Calming The Child is loved by children and adults alike for its ability to help promote a tranquil atmosphere during the day or before bedtime. With the sweet, soothing scents of Mandarin, Tangerine and Lavender, and the relaxing aroma of Chamomile Roman, Calming The Child is a natural, safe way to ease in to sleep or to slow revved-up minds and emotions. Plus it smells amazing!
Diffuse a few drops of Calming the Child for 30 minutes on and 30 minutes off. Alternatively, dilute Calming the Child to 1-3% using your favorite Plant Therapy Carrier Oil and apply topically on your child's chest or back of the neck.
Calming The Child is loved by children and adults alike for its ability to help promote a tranquil atmosphere during the day or before bedtime. With the sweet, soothing scents of Mandarin, Tangerine and Lavender, and the relaxing aroma of Chamomile Roman, Calming The Child is a natural, safe way to ease in to sleep or to slow revved-up minds and emotions. Plus it smells amazing!
Diffuse a few drops of Calming the Child for 30 minutes on and 30 minutes off. Alternatively, dilute Calming the Child to 1-3% using your favorite Plant Therapy Carrier Oil and apply topically on your child's chest or back of the neck.
Specifically formulated for children ages 2-10. This synergy contains 100% pure, undiluted essential oils of Mandarin, Tangerine, Lavender and Chamomile Roman.
Nighty Night KidSafe Essential Oil
Does your child have occasional trouble calming down at night before bedtime? Nighty Night helps create a more relaxed and calming atmosphere so that your child can relax before bedtime and promote a good night’s rest. Differing from Sweet Dreams, Nighty Night is used for an overall relaxation and not just soothing the mind.
Apply topically to your child’s chest or back of the neck at a 2% dilution using your favorite Plant Therapy Carrier Oil 30 minutes before bedtime.
Does your child have occasional trouble calming down at night before bedtime? Nighty Night helps create a more relaxed and calming atmosphere so that your child can relax before bedtime and promote a good night’s rest. Differing from Sweet Dreams, Nighty Night is used for an overall relaxation and not just soothing the mind.
Apply topically to your child’s chest or back of the neck at a 2% dilution using your favorite Plant Therapy Carrier Oil 30 minutes before bedtime.
Add 3 drops to 1 tablespoon of fragrance free shampoo or body wash and add to a warm, nighttime bath. You can also add ½ cup of Epsom salt if desired.
Diffuse throughout the night in your Plant Therapy AromaFuse Diffuser at 30 minutes on and 30 minutes off.
Specifically formulated for children ages 2-10.
Specifically formulated for children ages 2-10.
Plant Therapy Sleepy Time KidSafe Essential Oil Blends Set 100% Pure, Undiluted, Therapeutic Grade
SWEET DREAMS BLEND: Does your child struggle with nightmares or bad dreams? Our KidSafe Sweet Dreams was formulated to help soothe those turbulent emotions and promote a peaceful, uninterrupted night of rest.
SWEET SLUMBER BLEND: Even though we love Lavender, it's not for everyone. Sweet Slumber was formulated for kids as another option for those unable to use Lavender. This blend uses other effective essential oils that are calming, soothing, and sedating.
NIGHTY NIGHT BLEND: Does your child have occasional trouble calming down at night before bedtime? Nighty Night helps create a more relaxed and calming atmosphere so that your child can relax before bedtime and promote a good night’s rest.
Sweet Slumber KidSafe Essential Oil
Sweet Slumber Essential Oil Blend was formulated for kids as another option for those unable to use Lavender. This blend uses essential oils that are calming, soothing, and sedating, a perfect combination to get your little ones ready for a good night of sleep. The scent is pleasant, gentle, and sure to help one snooze. Although this synergy is KidSafe, you can be sure that it will still be effective for adults as well. Sweet Slumber Essential Oil Blend mixes Cedarwood, Ho Wood, Sweet Orange, Roman Chamomile, and Vetiver to make for a relaxing night's rest. Safe for the whole family, Sweet Slumber is a wonderful blend to help quiet one’s mind and relax the body. Cedarwood is soothing and calming.
Sweet Slumber Essential Oil Blend was formulated for kids as another option for those unable to use Lavender. This blend uses essential oils that are calming, soothing, and sedating, a perfect combination to get your little ones ready for a good night of sleep. The scent is pleasant, gentle, and sure to help one snooze. Although this synergy is KidSafe, you can be sure that it will still be effective for adults as well. Sweet Slumber Essential Oil Blend mixes Cedarwood, Ho Wood, Sweet Orange, Roman Chamomile, and Vetiver to make for a relaxing night's rest. Safe for the whole family, Sweet Slumber is a wonderful blend to help quiet one’s mind and relax the body. Cedarwood is soothing and calming.
Number-one Play Tents for Girls Boys Galaxy Starry Sky Dream Bed Tents for Kids
Kids Sweet Dream
The kids bed tent can help calm and soothe kids when taking a nap or sleeping at night, make baby fall asleep faster.
Double net curtain for entry. Windows allow air flow and visibility. Soft, bright material, safe and easy to clean. Large enough space: Tent size: 140x100x80cm, give your child plenty of space to move and can also store toys. Sturdy and safe: The support poles are light and lightweight, and the support poles are connected by wires. Perfectly shaped tents and not easy to tilt. Rounded corners: Rounded corners to avoid collisions that could cause your child to be injured, make your child play games more safely. Cartoon space patterns: Play tent for boys or girls, let them enter the fun starry sky world and enrich their imagination.
LittleHippo Mella Ready to Rise Children's Trainer, Alarm Clock, Night Light and Sleep Sounds Machine
Can't keep your kid in bed? Let us help with that.
MELLA is the #1 most backed kid's clock and all-in-one Ready to Rise children's sleep trainer designed to keep your kid in bed longer. MELLA is a sleep trainer, alarm clock, sleep sounds machine, night light and nap timer rolled into one adorable package.
Studies show that children do not fully understand the concept of time until around 8 years old. MELLA uses colors and facial expressions to teach your kid when it's time for bed and when it's okay to wake up. With MELLA, your kid can learn to stay in bed longer, giving you more sleep!
Can't keep your kid in bed? Let us help with that.
MELLA is the #1 most backed kid's clock and all-in-one Ready to Rise children's sleep trainer designed to keep your kid in bed longer. MELLA is a sleep trainer, alarm clock, sleep sounds machine, night light and nap timer rolled into one adorable package.
Studies show that children do not fully understand the concept of time until around 8 years old. MELLA uses colors and facial expressions to teach your kid when it's time for bed and when it's okay to wake up. With MELLA, your kid can learn to stay in bed longer, giving you more sleep!
Parenthood just got easier.
Bedtime Meditations for Kids: Quick, Calming Exercises to Help Kids Get to Sleep
From Awake to Zzz―30 fuss-free techniques and activities for sleepless kids ages 4 to 8
If counting sheep isn’t helping your child fall asleep, Bedtime Meditation for Kids is a dream come true. Discover tons of techniques, breathing exercises, mindful meditations, yoga poses, and more to help your little one fall asleep faster and easier. No more tossing and turning!
Kids can drift into a deep slumber with fun activities designed to help them calm down, cope with difficult emotions, improve concentration, and get restful sleep. From getting rid of the wiggles to imagining tranquil thoughts, the exercises in this book about meditation for kids will help your child sleep tight all night long.
DISCLAIMER: I am not an Occupational Therapist. I am an adult who has Sensory Processing Disorder, a sensory parent and a Grandma. The information on this website is not medical advice and does not replace the information that your child's therapists gives you. These are just ideas and information that I have learned myself over the years of being a parent and an adult living with SPD. If you are concerned for your child, please always seek medical attention through a family doctor, pediatrician or therapist. This website is for suggestions and informational purposes only. Each child is different and what works for one child may not for another because all children have different needs. Please always consult with a professional.
Amazon offers a small commission on products sold through their affiliate links on my website. Each of your purchases through links on my website for Amazon affiliation links or sponsored links supports me but at no additional cost to you so thank you for your purchases. I appreciate it so much!