[rainbowhope]

Another night spent listening to my son chatting away to himself.. it was early morning before he went to sleep.. consequently he is still in bed unable to get up.. I am at my wits end.. he is 21 yrs old and has never slept.. I am tired out today and feeling very down..

Has anyone here had this experience if so.. is there an answer to this.. I have tried searching for research about this but had nothing that helps..

[Decoda Roadshow]

I don't think I can claim to understand what you're going through, but I have had some experiance of this personally from some fairly low moments in my life. Once you fall into the trap of living strange hours it's incredibly difficult to break out of.

Just wanted to reply so you knew you weren't alone.
If you need any one to discuss this with please feel free to continue this thread.

[Speeds]

Hello and welcome to all of you on this post.

I have removed all the spam...................sorry.

Secondly, not sure how to help but will the GP suggest anything?

What a rubbish reply because I can imagine but not know how you are feeling. 

Would you like to say if you have tried anything so far?

xxxxxxxxxxx

[magz b]

hi i really new and i got a son who autisic and i really dnt know if this tip is going to be any good , but ive been told cooling the legs down makes them sleepy so ive been told put a warn top on at night ang sponge down legs for a few minutes seemily it sends a message to brain and makes them sleep 
                                                                      magz

[Claire]

melatonin tablets are good to stimulate sleep, they are used by many people with autism or ADHD who have sleep problems. Antihistamines also have a similar effect.

a bath or shower before bed - the warming up and then the cooling process after stimulates sleep.

I find meditation very helpful, would he be able to learn a simple meditation each night?

Total dark is also very important - how thick are his curtains?

I watched a TV programme about sleep, it talked a lot about resetting your sleep cycle if you have insomnia. A man who hadn't slept a full night in years was starved of sleep for 2 weeks. He was only allowed to go to bed or his bedroom at 2am and had to get up at 7am, he found he was getting 5 full hours during this time by the end of it and was gradually allowed to add hours until he was going to bed at a normal time. However, if he is unable to get up in the morning after only 5 hours sleep, then this will not work for you.

If you have enough room and he is OK with it you could try making his bedroom only for sleep - no leisure time or study in there at all, or at least his bed. I try not to use my computer in bed or do other work in it.

If you can, try to see a sleep specialist who specialises in special needs.


Good Luck

[paula]

Hi.

Really feel for you with this as a lack of sleep makes everything seem so much worse. Our daughter has ADHD amongst other things and is on Ritalin. She has Melatonin to get her to sleep which works relatively well. We haven't tried it, but I know that there is a slow release tablet which helps keep you asleep throughout the night. Have you tried anything like this?

Also, do you get any respite at all? Easier said and done I know but you do need a break for your own sanity.

Best wishes

Paula