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The modules below have been created for caregivers in the Good Nights programme.

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Sleep difficulties are common among Autistic children, impacting their health and wellbeing, as well as that of their whānau. It is therefore important for professionals to understand the varying sleep difficulties these children may experience. This module provides clinicians with essential information about sleep in Autistic children, along with resources for assessing sleep, to inform the development of a sleep programme.

This module covers:
  • The importance of sleep
  • Types of sleep difficulties
  • Common contributors to children’s sleep difficulties
  • Tools to assess and monitor children’s sleep
  • A child’s sleep schedule plays a crucial role in managing sleep difficulties, making it an important starting point for a sleep programme. The focus of this module is on how to select a developmentally appropriate bedtime and wake-time (i.e., sleep schedule), and the steps that can be taken to reach that goal.

    This module covers:
  • The role of circadian rhythms and sleep pressure
  • Sleep for teens
  • Recommended sleep times
  • The role of circadian rhythms and sleep pressure
  • How to select an age-appropriate bed and wake time
  • Strategies for modifying the child’s bed and wake times
  • When supporting whānau with sleep difficulties, it is important to start by addressing ‘sleep hygiene’. Sleep hygiene is a term commonly used to refer to the day and night-time habits that may affect sleep. This can include the bedroom environment, bedtime routine, and daytime activities.

    This module covers:
    • Features of good sleep hygiene
    • Sensory considerations
    • The importance of a consistent bedtime routine and environment
    • The importance of a relaxing bedtime routine and environment

    Ensuring appropriate sensory supports, visual cues, sleep schedules and sleep hygiene can support children to sleep well and may be sufficient for many sleep programmes. However, it is also important to consider what caregivers do or don’t do in response to certain sleep-related difficulties and whether this may unintentionally contribute to or maintain them.

    This module covers:
  • Responding to sleep-interfering behaviour
  • Planning with caregivers for altering their responses
  • Strategies for altering responses to sleep interfering behaviour
  • An important consideration for any sleep programme, is how to teach children skills they need to fall asleep independently (i.e., without caregiver help) and remain asleep throughout night. There are a number of strategies and tools to facilitate this. These should be adapted to the child’s needs, interests, strengths and preferences.

    This module covers:
  • The use of visual supports
  • The use of other teaching aides such as sleep stories and rewards
  • In order to fall asleep, a state of behavioural, emotional, and cognitive calm is required. Autistic children often have active minds and/or worries. As a result, they may struggle to fall asleep. There are many strategies that can be used to promote relaxation. These strategies can look different across individuals, so it is important to consider the child’s unique experience and what modifications (e.g., visual, physical, and sensory supports) might be needed.

    This module covers:
  • Deep breathing
  • Progressive muscle relaxation
  • Grounding
  • Imagery
  • Worry time
  • Self-encouragement
  • Safety symbols
  • Supports to facilitate these strategies