Autism and Sleep Autism and Sleep Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders are reported to have more sleep challenges than their typically developing peers. These challenges include: Decreased total sleep time Difficulty falling asleep Waking up at night Early morning awakenings Restless sleep Parasomnia-sleepwalking, night terrors, talking during sleep, and rhythmic movement disorders To help your child sleep better: Rule out any medical problems Establish a consistent bedtime routine Make sure your child’s room is conducive to sleep (cool, dark and quiet) Limit/eliminate caffeine Limit exposure to blue light (screens) during the day, especially one hour before bedtime Engage your child in daytime exercise Eliminate naps when appropriate Discuss appropriate interventions with a behavior specialist *In some cases pharmacological intervention may be necessary. If none of these approaches help, seek advice from your child’s physician