Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

Autistic grandson waking at night.

(31 Posts)
Swanny Tue 21-Feb-17 09:37:06

aquagran Melatonin is prescribed for our boy and it certainly helps him get off to sleep. Whether he sleeps through till morning is another matter! His parents have just set up a small fish tank with adjustable lighting in his bedroom, in the hope it will help him back to sleep when he wakes, if that makes sense smile

aquagran Tue 21-Feb-17 09:19:06

Yes, he does have a night light. I know he should be discouraged from coming into Mum's bed, but life with an autistic child is hard enough , let alone trying to cope on little sleep, so I understand your daughter's solution Swanny, and a bit of me thinks they should go for "the easy life" ...that's a joke! He stayed overnight this weekend and slept in a double bed with his sister. No problems, yet I appreciate the relationship is different between Grandparents and DGS and Parents and DGS, and sleeping with his sister on a regular basis is definitely not an option! I did some research on the net last night, always a dangerous thing, and some parents have tried Melatonin with some success. Have any of you heard of this. I don't know if I dare mention it to my daughter! Thanks for your replies, I knew you had a GS on the spectrum Swanny, and judging by media reports in the last couple of years, there must be many of us around!

ninathenana Tue 21-Feb-17 07:17:59

Would your GS settle with earphones and some music or a story. Does he have a night light ?

paddyann Tue 21-Feb-17 00:55:09

my 7 year old grandaughter has been having nightmares since her and her mum moved out of her other granny's house ,I think she just misses gran and grandpa ,but I dont take her into our bed,I'll stand and talk to her for a wee while until she settles ,leave a light on and a book to read or her diary to write in and she's usually fine.I'd never encourage her or indeed my own kids into our bed ..ever .Starts bad habits that cant be easily broken

Swanny Mon 20-Feb-17 23:40:54

My DGS does this too and mum usually ends up going to his bed and leaving DGS and his dad in the 'big' bed. Not the ideal solution but at least they all get the best sleep they can confused

aquagran Mon 20-Feb-17 22:03:56

My eight year old grandson has started to wake up at night and insists on going into bed with his Mum and Dad. My daughter doesn't want to encourage this, but if he is not allowed, he screams. Not great in the middle of the night, particularly as he has a younger sister. Also it is distressing for all. I know this is not unusual with children on the spectrum, but has anybody out there got any advice please?