Sleeping issues etc for a 3 year old with possible autism - any help gratefully received

[NLG6]

Hi,

I'm new to this site and am really thankful to have found it.

My 3 year old is on the waiting list to be assessed for autism since last summer (she's non-verbal) and we have a whole range of behaviour challenges but one of the main ones is her refusing to sleep on her own in her bed for the last few months. My husband and I are currently taking it in turns to sleep on a double camp bed with her as we have a 6 week old baby who isn't really sleeping. I realise that sleeping problems are common in toddlers/ young children with or without autism.

I wondered if anyone has any suggestions for encouraging children to sleep in their beds? We wondered about trying a floor mattress.........

She has also just started refusing to sit up at the table and eat with us, again any suggestions welcome thank you.

I also wondered if anyone knows of any online support groups etc for parents with children with possible autism, or any activity groups for toddlers/children with possible autism?

Many thanks in advance

Nicola

[Vikki-Moderator Moderator]

Hello Nicola Have you tried asdhelpinghands.org.uk/ They have advisors and a list of support groups and you do not need to have a formal diagnosis to contact them. You can also get support from us at the Early Childhood and Family service. Fill in the form at tinyurl.com/ecfshelp with your information and one of our workers will give you call to see how we can help.

[NLG6 in reply to Vikki-Moderator]

Hi

I haven't, thank you so much for your help.

[RachelModerator Moderator]

Hello NLG6 ,

Welcome to Health Unlocked,

Depending on where you live in Norfolk, the Hamlet Centre may have some groups you may find useful:

thehamletcharity.org.uk/our...

Sleep East would be a good starting point with the sleep. They have been offering sleep workshops via zoom:

sleepeast.com/new-page-1

They are sometimes available free of charge.

Hope these help,

Best Wishes,

Rachel Assistant Practitioner in Just One Number

[NLG6 in reply to RachelModerator]

Thanks so much Rachel.

[EW86]

Hi Nicola

We are currently in exactly the same boat, we have a 3 year old daughter who is non verbal too, we are in the process of awaiting speech and language therapy but looking to have some private sessions as the NHS waiting list is so long at the moment. We had exactly the same sleep issues too but needed to sort it before our second daughter arrived who is now 16 months old.

If you fancy a chat, we could exchange email addresses.

Thanks x

[NLG6 in reply to EW86]

Hi

Thanks so much for your message, that would be really good 😊

[e-mail]

Look forward to hearing from you. x