Dear Starters: Teaching Independent Sleep to Autistic Children

Some children on the spectrum resist sleep because they feel safer when a parent is nearby. Gradual withdrawal techniques can help them learn to fall asleep independently, building confidence and security over time.

Here are gentle approaches:

• Stay close at first: Sit beside the bed until your child dozes.
• Gradually move away: Shift your chair a little further each night until you are outside the door.
• Positive reinforcement: Praise and small rewards encourage progress.
• Night-light comfort: Let your child choose a night-light if darkness increases anxiety.
• Worry management: Create a “worry box” earlier in the evening so your child can write or draw fears, locking them away before bedtime.

👉 Want more strategies? Read our posts on autism and sleep challenges and specialised diets for autism support in Nigeria to discover how routines and nutrition play a role in better rest.

At Bethelxafe Autism Foundation, we empower Nigerian families with knowledge that makes daily life calmer and more manageable.