Let's talk about sleep, baby!
Posted by Lori-ann at 2/14/2008 12:58 PM and is filed under Autism,epsom salt bath,sleep issues,Asperger's 
When I started out as an expectant parent some 25 years ago I thought it was going to be so nice to waken in the middle of the night, snuggle with my warm, sweet smelling babe as she suckled herself back to sleep and drift off myself. After a few months of this, reality swept in right along with sleep deprivation and I realized how much I REALLY enjoy a good nights sleep. Uninterupted sleep. Gosh, how long has it been since I had a full nights sleep without being woken up by someone for some reason?
My two boys (15 and 6 years old) are both on the Autism Spectrum. J has a diagnosis of Asperger's and K has a diagnosis of Autism, Auditory Neuropathy and Cerebral Palsy. Bedtime has been a challenge with J, my older son, since he was small. The kicking and screaming, in and out of bed, tantrums until exhausted he would fall asleep on the floor. It was a horrible experience for both of us. If I had only known then what I know now, perhaps we wouldn't be dealing with the issues that we are. Bedtime is still horrible with him. At least he doesn't tantrum anymore but he drags out the process well into the wee hours claiming he just can't fall asleep. I do know that if he would run a really warm bath with epsom salts in it and take a melatonin he would fall asleep. We are at a standoff. He doesn't want Mommy suggesting anything that seems even the least bit controlling and resists even the slightest suggestion of what we both know would help him fall asleep. He also knows that this is the tactic that I use with K at bedtime. K has a bedtime routine of 20 minute epsom salt bath, melatonin, and by the time he is dressed in his PJ's he is nodding off. I tuck him in bed with a book and our good night ritual, leave the room and he is asleep often before the door is latched.
There is a wonderful post on Speechville express written by Susan Owens on the subject of Epsom Salt Baths. This is quite an indepth explanation of why they work, how they work, as well as some alternate ways to use Epsom Salts to obtain good results.
Another great resource for information on Epsom Salts is contained in the book Enzymes for Autism and other Neurological Conditions
written by Karen L. DeFelice.
Wishing you all a good nights rest!
My two boys (15 and 6 years old) are both on the Autism Spectrum. J has a diagnosis of Asperger's and K has a diagnosis of Autism, Auditory Neuropathy and Cerebral Palsy. Bedtime has been a challenge with J, my older son, since he was small. The kicking and screaming, in and out of bed, tantrums until exhausted he would fall asleep on the floor. It was a horrible experience for both of us. If I had only known then what I know now, perhaps we wouldn't be dealing with the issues that we are. Bedtime is still horrible with him. At least he doesn't tantrum anymore but he drags out the process well into the wee hours claiming he just can't fall asleep. I do know that if he would run a really warm bath with epsom salts in it and take a melatonin he would fall asleep. We are at a standoff. He doesn't want Mommy suggesting anything that seems even the least bit controlling and resists even the slightest suggestion of what we both know would help him fall asleep. He also knows that this is the tactic that I use with K at bedtime. K has a bedtime routine of 20 minute epsom salt bath, melatonin, and by the time he is dressed in his PJ's he is nodding off. I tuck him in bed with a book and our good night ritual, leave the room and he is asleep often before the door is latched.
There is a wonderful post on Speechville express written by Susan Owens on the subject of Epsom Salt Baths. This is quite an indepth explanation of why they work, how they work, as well as some alternate ways to use Epsom Salts to obtain good results.
Another great resource for information on Epsom Salts is contained in the book Enzymes for Autism and other Neurological Conditions
written by Karen L. DeFelice.Wishing you all a good nights rest!
Thanks for that info. My Aspie is 10 and we've had exactly ONE full night of sleep since his birth. His Dr. shot down the idea of melatonin because of a fear that it would contradict some of his other meds but an Epsom Salts bath??? I'd never heard of that or thought of it. ANY suggestion is worth a shot about now. Here's hoping for any dreams... but sweet ones are more than welcome.
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