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Just want to sit down and cry
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<blockquote data-quote="InsaneCdn" data-source="post: 473727" data-attributes="member: 11791"><p>Well... I'm not dealing with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) kids, but... even with a different set of developmental issues:</p><p></p><p>I had to learn the hard way:</p><p>1) once the problem starts, its too late to solve the real problem</p><p>2) structure, structure, structure</p><p>3) there's nothing worse than a tired difficult child</p><p></p><p>Barring... issues that must be controlled 24/7 by medications, and mental health disorders like bi-polar...</p><p></p><p>#2 means... changing how YOU live. Because you can't give them the structure they need, without imposing structure on yourself.</p><p></p><p>Hints... </p><p></p><p>Forget about what anybody else (i.e. family, friends, parents and teachers at school, etc.) says about bedtimes and how much sleep kids need. Once you've got disorders and disabilities, the "expectations" mean nothing. In 15 min increments, push bedtime earlier (change it every 3 days or so)... until difficult child can get up and be functional in the morning... "6 days out of 7". (really. we all have our "days" when mornings don't work)</p><p></p><p>Develop as long of a bedtime routine as you have to, and <em>stick to it - like 99.999% of the time</em>. Whether its a 5-minute sequence, or a 60-minute sequence... whatever it takes. They need to be in a frame of mind to go to sleep. It has to be what works for difficult child - not what you "want".</p><p></p><p>Develop a morning routine. When difficult child was smaller, we had to pick out clothes for the next day, as part of the bedtime routine. It was just too stressful to do it in the morning. Morning must have the exact same order... even on weekends (although you might start a wee bit later)</p><p></p><p>Watch out for letting them sleep in... even for a neurotypical adult, a sleep schedule should never be off by more than 90 minutes.</p><p></p><p>And then...</p><p>learn to take micro-breaks for yourself, to deal with the stress. Tough to get those in the morning, though!!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="InsaneCdn, post: 473727, member: 11791"] Well... I'm not dealing with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) kids, but... even with a different set of developmental issues: I had to learn the hard way: 1) once the problem starts, its too late to solve the real problem 2) structure, structure, structure 3) there's nothing worse than a tired difficult child Barring... issues that must be controlled 24/7 by medications, and mental health disorders like bi-polar... #2 means... changing how YOU live. Because you can't give them the structure they need, without imposing structure on yourself. Hints... Forget about what anybody else (i.e. family, friends, parents and teachers at school, etc.) says about bedtimes and how much sleep kids need. Once you've got disorders and disabilities, the "expectations" mean nothing. In 15 min increments, push bedtime earlier (change it every 3 days or so)... until difficult child can get up and be functional in the morning... "6 days out of 7". (really. we all have our "days" when mornings don't work) Develop as long of a bedtime routine as you have to, and [I]stick to it - like 99.999% of the time[/I]. Whether its a 5-minute sequence, or a 60-minute sequence... whatever it takes. They need to be in a frame of mind to go to sleep. It has to be what works for difficult child - not what you "want". Develop a morning routine. When difficult child was smaller, we had to pick out clothes for the next day, as part of the bedtime routine. It was just too stressful to do it in the morning. Morning must have the exact same order... even on weekends (although you might start a wee bit later) Watch out for letting them sleep in... even for a neurotypical adult, a sleep schedule should never be off by more than 90 minutes. And then... learn to take micro-breaks for yourself, to deal with the stress. Tough to get those in the morning, though!! [/QUOTE]
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