Autism, Anxiety and Sleep
How Neurology Affects Sleep in Autistic Children
Research has found two key neurological differences that often impact sleep in autistic children. These include a lower release of melatonin (the hormone that helps us feel sleepy) and challenges with circadian rhythm regulation.
Circadian rhythm difficulties can make it seem like the child is in a different time zone altogether. As a result, falling asleep and staying asleep becomes much harder.
The Role of Anxiety in Sleep Struggles
Now add anxiety into the mix—and you can see why so many autistic children experience sleep challenges. Anxiety affects up to 8 in 10 autistic children, even if they appear calm on the surface or mask their feelings well.
Sleep and anxiety are closely linked. For example, high anxiety levels make it harder for the brain to switch off at bedtime. It also increases the chances of night waking, making it difficult for the child to get back to sleep.
Why Lowering Anxiety Helps Improve Sleep
Understanding and reducing anxiety is key to achieving better sleep. When anxiety builds throughout the day, it doesn’t just disappear at night. Instead, it can lead to challenging behaviours, disrupted routines, and difficulty settling to sleep.
Bedtime can quickly become a battleground—especially when anxiety peaks and there are no strategies in place to manage it. However, with the right support, you can help your child feel safer, calmer, and more prepared for rest.
How I Differ From Other Sleep Coaches
How Sleep Affects Autistic Children
As a specialist teacher in autism and anxiety, I’ve seen how poor sleep can impact every part of a child’s day. Many of my pupils experienced severe sleep struggles. As a result, their learning, mood, and relationships often suffered.
I also saw how hard it was on families. They were exhausted and desperate for help. Back then, I didn’t know what to suggest—even though I wanted to support them.
The Link Between Sensory Needs and Sleep
Around 90% of autistic people have sensory processing differences. Because of this, their environment and daily experiences can strongly influence how well they sleep.
After training as a Sensory Needs Practitioner, I gained deeper insight into these challenges. For example, if your child’s sensory needs aren’t met during the day, bedtime is more likely to become a struggle. This can lead to resistance, overwhelm, and tears.
Fortunately, support is available. I can help you adjust your child’s sensory diet or offer strategies to get started—especially while waiting for input from an Occupational Therapist.
Working Together for Lasting Change
To truly support better sleep, we need to look at the full picture. That’s why we’ll work together to explore your child’s entire day—not just the bedtime routine.
Our main goal will be to reduce anxiety using simple, effective strategies. In addition, I can show you specialist techniques that support better sleep. For example, we may gently shift your child’s circadian rhythm, which is often disrupted in autism.
Let’s Start the Journey to Better Sleep
When your child sleeps better, everything starts to feel more manageable—for them and for you. By taking a whole-child approach, we can begin to create calm, consistent nights that lead to brighter, more settled days.
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