sleeping at night

any suggestions on how to get our little guy calmed down at night.sometimes it is hard for him to wind down.thinking of talking to his doctor about medication to help but really dont want to go that way

Hi richieroo, and welcome to IAN.

There are many children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) who have trouble settling down at night. Sometimes, they are just wound up in a hyperactive, can't-calm-down way. Sometimes, they are so rigid about nighttime rituals, that the ritual itself becomes hours long with tantrums if one step of the sequence is missed or "not done right." Some are anxious. See: http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/challenging_behavior/sleep_issues

There are researchers focusing on sleep in ASDs. You may want to read our article by one such researcher, Beth Malow: http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/autism_spectrum_disorder_research/a_good_nights_sleep_in_children_with_asd

Researchers have found that there are so many reasons for sleep issues in ASDs, you really have to have a handle on what the problems are in order to address them. Some issues may be more physical/neurochemical; some may be more behavioral, as in there may be a need for a consistent (but not hours long) bedtime routine.

There have been some studies of the use of melatonin to help with sleep issues in children with ASD. A recent review concluded: "Melatonin administration in ASD is associated with improved sleep parameters, better daytime behavior, and minimal side effects." See: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21518346

You might want to consult with your treatment team. The pediatrician might have some thoughts about melatonin; a behavior-oriented therapist might have ideas about how to establish or change bedtime rituals; and an occupational therapist might have ideas about activities to calm your child before bed. What is needed, again, depends on exactly what's going on, so figuring out what interferes with your child's sleep with your team is a necessary first step to deciding on an action plan.

I hope things improve soon, and your whole family starts getting a better night's sleep.