Summertime sleep routines are often challenging due to time out of school, work, and vacations. As sleep problems are very common, reportedly as high as 80 percent in children with ASD, it is crucial to establish good sleep hygiene and routines.
Maintaining consistent bedtime routines and sleep hygiene help reduce daytime sleepiness, learning problems, and behavioral issues such as hyperactivity, inattentiveness, and aggression (Autism Speaks, 2023), allowing for an individual to be more engaged, emotionally regulated, and attentive throughout the day.
Using dark curtains or black-out blinds, blocking out external noise with sound machines, and removing distractions like electronic devices are all beneficial to maintaining a good sleep routine.
For information on best practices in sleep routines, please check out our E-TEAM Webinar: Sleep Supports and Strategies for Children with Autism and Related Disabilities, presented by Marissa Eck.
