Children with additional needs have a health or developmental condition that impacts on their everyday life. Their needs could be developmental, behavioural, physical, learning or sensory. Sleep problems occur in all children, but in children with additional needs, they are even more common. This can have an impact on the child’s behaviour and learning in the day.

There is help available for you, and it is important to look after the whole family’s health as well as the child’s. Sleep deprivation can have a huge effect on everyone’s physical and mental health. Some strategies you can try include:

• Share night time duties with a partner or family and friends if they are able to help.

• Rest when you can.

• Eat well, exercise and look after your mental health. Strategies such as mindfulness and meditation can help.

• Talk to professionals who can help, such as your Childs Health Visitor, School Nurse or GP.

What you can do to help

Strategies to help your child’s sleep pattern include:

• Diet
• Routine
• Sleeping Environment
• Specific Needs

 

 

 

 

 

• Consistency helps – stick to the same routine, even if you don’t think it is working. It can take time to establish Maintain a regular wake up time, and limit naps in the day.
• A bath can help relax children before bed, but some children may find this too stimulating, so try to assess if this is helpful or not.
• Restrict screen time before bed, and try to keep a relaxing wind down environment.

• Children will pick up on adult’s anxiety, so try to remain calm yourself whilst putting the child to bed.
• Complete Sleeping Chart. This can help you look and see if there is a pattern emerging, and you can discuss this with your child’s Health Visitor or school nurse.

• If your child frequently wakes overnight, try to reassure them and settle them back to sleep without stimulating them. Try to avoid eye contact, minimal talking, stay quiet and keep the room dark.

• Explain to your child what is going to happen and what you expect of them in a way they will understand. If you child has communications aids, use them. You can even use social stories and visual timetables.

 

 

 

 

• Children with communication difficulties may not be able to say what is disturbing them, so it is important to rule out any obvious causes of sleep disturbance.

• If your child has some sensory issues, consider if this may be having an impact on their sleep, and ways to support this. For example, certain textures of clothing may be distressing them, or labels.

• If your child is quite anxious, this may have an impact on their sleep, for example if they wake overnight they may panic at being alone, and need reassurance.

• Toileting. If your child wears nappies or pull ups at night, and needs changing, this may be affecting their sleep. Try and disturb them as little as possible. If their nappy or pull up is full and leaks, this may also disturb them. Children may also be disturbed if they need to use the toilet. If this is an issue, try limiting drinks late in the day. Further advice on this can be found on the Eric website: https://www.eric.org.uk/how-to-stop-or-manage-bedwetting

• If your child suffers from pain, consider if this may be disturbing them overnight. If so, talk to your child’s lead medical professional.

• Some children may have medical reasons that mean they struggle to sleep. If your child snores loudly, or has pauses in their breathing at night, talk to a medical professional.

• Some children with genetic syndromes are more prone to having sleep problems. Speak to your lead medical professional if you are concerned.

Who can help?

If you’re worried about your child, a health professional in our team will be able to offer advice and support. You can Call Us on 0300 029 50 50 or Text Us on 07520 649887 to start a conversation. If your aged 11-19 you can text ChatHealth on 07480 635 443

**Monday to Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm excluding bank holidays**

Need More Information?

• Cerebra - a charity that helps children with brain conditions
• The Sleep Council 
• Scope
• National Autistic Society guide for parents of autistic children 
• Helping your child with sensory differences

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a partnership between Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust and
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust.
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