Helping Children Meet Their Full Potential Faster
"To measure the success of our societies, we should examine how well those with different abilities, including persons with autism, are integrated as full and valued members." - Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, Former Secretary General of the United Nations.
Learning to sleep alone in bedrooms is an important rite of passage to growing up. If your child is not willing or able to sleep on their own, it can be a challenge. Apart from the intervention of a qualified therapist for this issue, we have compiled a few tips that should assist in this matter.
Control the environmental factors. Make the bedroom a happy and safe place for the child to sleep. Make the necessary changes to the environment such as a dark & calm room with ambient temperature while removing sensory triggers and providing a fixed routine that puts emphasis on the child sleeping on their bed in their room. These factors are important and will help the child to get accustomed over time to start sleeping in their own bed.
One step at a time. The task of getting your child to sleep on their own must be addressed with patience over time in a step-by-step manner. Start spending time during bedtime in their room, read stories, or sitting on their bed while they fall asleep. Gradually, sit on a chair instead, then over time start moving the chair further and further away from the bed, until you reach the door.
Reward the child for sleeping on their own. Positive reinforcement can be very useful in this task. Motivate and encourage them to sleep in their room by rewarding them with their favorite treat/activity the next day. They will start connecting the two and start getting in the habit of the nighttime routine.
Seeking the help of your qualified and experienced ABA therapist is another good solution. By going into the depths of the overall scenario, they can curate a customized plan to let them be independent and have a proper night's sleep in their room, leaving them restful and energized.
Getting your child to sleep on their own is a process that should begin at the early on with patience, understanding, and love. There will be highs and there will be lows, but victory is at the end of the tunnel.
