Aspergers (high functioning autism) is a developmental disorder falling within the autistic spectrum affecting two-way social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and a reluctance to accept change, inflexibility of thought and to have all absorbing narrow areas of interest. Individuals are usually extremely good on rote memory skills (facts, figures, dates, times etc.) many excel in math and science. There is a range of severity of symptoms within the syndrome, the very mildly affected youngster often goes undiagnosed and may just appear odd or eccentric. While Aspergers is much more common than Autism it is still a rare condition and few people, including professionals, will know about it much less have experience of it. It seems to affect more boys than girls. In general terms they find making friends difficult, not understanding the subtle clues needed to do so. They often use language in a slightly odd way and take literal meanings from what is read or heard. They ...
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My boy is also very tactile, he has one of those giant bears from Costco that lays on top of him, over his blanket.
My son had this problem - excess adrenaline can impede melatonin production so I used supplemental melatonin 3mg 1 hr before bed. Very safe and effective. I also use adaptogens for adrenals and have a strict bed time routine with a relaxing bath and snack. No cocoa or caffeine foods, no sugar, and no electronics for 1 hr before bed, with lights dim (bright light shuts off melatonin in the brain).
This works for my son and there are studies now being done here in Ontario on melatonin supplements for Aspie kids.
Namaste!
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body's blood pressure with desired side affect of sleepiness. Non-residual medication (not dopey next morning). We explored the 'natural therapies' route first, unfortunately nothing achieved the desired effect.
Likes audiobooks, but would never fall asleep with one on, but reduces his anxiety about not being able to sleep. oh, stephen fry, that's who that guy is! Also likes 'old mother west wind' - very gentle.
He also has a flip key-ring of pictures of things to do to help with sleep, e.g., deep breaths, play a movie in his head, imagine a story in head, count by 8s, 9s, etc.
Has ongoing 'night terrors'; will run thru house in sleep, run into walls, very agitated.