What are common sleep problems in autistic children and teenagers?

All children can have problems getting to sleep and staying asleep. Autistic children can have particular sleep and settling problems, including:

  • irregular sleeping and waking patterns – for example, lying awake until very late or waking very early in the morning
  • sleeping much less than expected for their age or being awake for more than an hour during the night
  • getting up and doing their favourite activity or making noise for one or more hours during the night.

What causes sleep problems in autistic children and teenagers?

Autistic children’s sleep problems are sometimes related to their:

  • bedtime habits
  • daytime habits.

Sleep problems for autistic children can also be caused by or related to things like:

  • anxiety
  • bedwetting
  • biological causes
  • communication differences
  • illnesses and health conditions
  • night terrors and nightmares
  • restless sleep
  • snoring.

When you understand what’s causing your autistic child’s sleep problems, it can be easier to work out the most appropriate way to solve the problems.

If you’re having trouble working out why your autistic child is having sleep problems, try keeping a sleep diary. When you write down your child’s sleep behaviour, you might see a pattern or notice something in the environment that’s affecting your child’s sleep. This record of your child’s sleep behaviour will also help any professionals working with you and your child.

Bedtime habits

Some sleep problems are related to what autistic children and teenagers are doing before bed and when they go to bed. What time they go to bed, how they go to sleep, and how much control they have over these things, are also factors. For example:

  • If your child has a lot of noise, activity and excitement before bed, it can be harder for them to feel calm and ready for sleep.
  • If your child does things differently each night before bed, they might not get predictable cues that it’s time for bed and sleep.
  • If your child is used to falling asleep somewhere other than their own bed – for example, in the family room – it can be hard for them to fall asleep in their own bed.
  • If your child needs all their toy cars lined up on the bed before they’ll go to sleep, this can make it hard if one of the cars isn’t there. It can also make the bed uncomfortable.
  • If your child’s sleep environment is too hot, cold, light or noisy, this can make it hard for them to get to sleep.
  • If your child is in their teens, they might sleep better if they can personalise their bedtime habits and routines.

For solutions to sleep problems related to bedtime habits, see our articles on helping autistic children sleep better and helping autistic teens sleep better. These articles explain how you can work on these problems with positive bedtime routines, regular bedtimes, healthy sleep associations and comfortable sleep environments.

Daytime habits

Some sleep problems are caused by things like eating habits and lack of physical activity during the day. You might be able to sort out these problems by making some simple lifestyle changes. These include encouraging your child to:

  • do more physical activity – aim for several hours of physical activity a day including at least an hour of energetic play, like running and jumping
  • have their evening meal at a time that lets them go to bed feeling neither hungry nor too full
  • avoid caffeine and excitement after 3 pm
  • avoid long and late daytime naps if they’re aged over 5 years.

Sleep problems often start to get better after 2-3 nights of changing your child’s bedtime and daytime habits. But for some children it can take 2-4 weeks. If you don’t see any improvement, it’s best to see your GP in case there’s a medical or other problem. You might be referred to a paediatrician, psychologist or other health professional experienced in treating children’s sleep.

Anxiety

Autistic children who experience anxiety often have difficulty falling asleep. This might be because anxious thoughts are racing through their minds.

These tips might help:

  • Talk with your child about their worries for a little while before bed, and let them know you’ll talk more tomorrow.
  • Encourage your child to listen to a podcast or audiobook or read a story.
  • Suggest that your child tries sleep relaxation strategies.

Bedwetting and toileting

Toilet training difficulties are common in autistic children. These difficulties might mean that your child wakes because they’re wetting the bed. Or they might wake to go to the toilet and then find it hard to get back to sleep.

You could consider getting some help if toilet training and bedwetting are problems for your child. For example, you could start by talking with your child’s therapists. If there’s a persistent problem, you could also talk to your child’s GP.

Biological causes

For autistic children, sleep problems can have biological causes. For example, sometimes the way sleep hormones in the brain are released means that autistic children aren’t tuned in to their own need for sleep. Speak to your child’s GP if you think this could be affecting your child’s sleep.

Communication differences

Some sleep problems in autistic children can be caused by communication differences. For example, your child might be kept awake by something they need for falling asleep but can’t ask for. Or they can’t fall asleep because they’re worried or upset about something, but they can’t tell you about it. In this situation, it might help to work with your child on their communication skills.

Sometimes communication differences might mean your child doesn’t notice that other people in your family are getting ready for bed. A positive bedtime routine can help your child realise it’s bedtime.

Illnesses and health conditions

Like all children, autistic children can suffer from illnesses – colds or ear infections – that make it hard for them to settle or sleep well. Also, when your child is sick, your child’s bedtime routine might change.

Once your child is better, gradually change the bedtime routine back to the usual one.

Speak with your child’s GP if you think your child’s poor sleep is related to a medical condition – for example, asthma or epilepsy.

Night terrors and nightmares

Some sleep behaviour can look like a problem, but it’s typical for all children. For example:

  • Night terrors – this is when children suddenly get very agitated while deeply asleep. Night terrors are common in children aged 2-12 years.
  • Nightmares – these are bad dreams that can wake up children and make it hard for them to get back to sleep. Nightmares are common for children of all ages.

Talk to your child’s GP if you’re concerned or your child’s night terrors or nightmares seem severe.

Restless sleep

Autistic children sometimes have restless sleep. For example, you might notice your child body-rocking, head-rolling and head-banging. This behaviour is often a self-soothing strategy, but it can also be a sign of some less common sleep disorders. It’s best to consult your child’s GP if you’re concerned or your child doesn’t respond to settling strategies.

Some autistic children take medicines that can have side effects that make it harder for them to settle to sleep. Speak with your child’s GP to check if this could be a problem for your child.

Snoring

Like all children, some autistic children snore. If your child’s snoring is persistent, talk to your child’s GP. Snoring can sometimes be a sign of sleep apnoea.

Medicine for autistic children with sleep problems

Before trying medicine, it’s always best to try things like changing your child’s bedtime routine or encouraging your child to get enough physical activity during the day. But medicine can help some autistic children.

For example, melatonin supplements might help some autistic children fall asleep faster, sleep for longer and wake up fewer times in the night.

If you’re interested in melatonin for your child, you’ll need to get a prescription from your GP or paediatrician. These health professionals can prescribe the right dose and give you information about melatonin and any possible side effects or interactions with other medicines. They’ll also monitor your child while they’re taking the medicine.

Languages other than English

Supported By

Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. Member organisations are the Parenting Research Centre and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute with The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.

Member Organisations

Follow us on social media

Aboriginal flag (c) WAM Clothing
Torres Strait Islands flag
At raisingchildren.net.au we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, gather and work. We recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay respect to Elders past and present.

© 2006-2026 Raising Children Network (Australia) Limited. All rights reserved.

Warning: This website and the information it contains is not intended as a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified practitioner.