Dear Starters: Autism and Sleep Challenges in Nigeria

Sleep challenges affect many autistic children, often leaving the entire family exhausted. Lack of rest can increase stress, meltdowns, and difficulty with daily routines.

Practical tips for better sleep include:

• Bedtime routine: Use a warm bath, dimmed lights, and a quiet story to signal winding down.
• Screen-free evenings: Avoid screens an hour before bed, since blue light disrupts natural sleep hormones.
• Comfort strategies: Soft music, calming sounds, or white-noise machines can soothe children who are sensitive to background noise.
• Consistency: Keep bedtime and wake-up times the same every day, even on weekends.
• Calm response: If meltdowns occur, maintain a gentle presence and avoid stimulating activities.

A structured and consistent sleep routine helps children rest soundly and improves family wellbeing.

👉 Did you see our earlier posts? Learn how oral health impacts autistic children and why specialised diets may influence autism symptoms. Both provide practical insights for parents across Nigeria.

At Bethelxafe Autism Foundation, we support families across Nigeria with insights that make daily life easier.