It’s extremely important for children to get a good amount of sleep each night. If a child doesn’t get enough sleep, their mind and body will suffer.
Even though it’s important for children to get sleep in general, it’s even more important for special needs students to get enough hours in. The stress to do well in school for a special needs child is enough to keep them from sleeping. In fact, 79% of Americans believe that children learn in different ways. If you have a child with special needs and know they have trouble sleeping, there are some things you can do to help. Let’s take a look at a few tips.
Stop Feeding Your Child So Late
This might seem a little strange, but feeding your child too close to their bedtime can actually prevent them from being able to sleep. The same thing can happen with adults, too. Make it a rule of thumb to stop feeding your child at least two hours before they go to sleep. If you do this, you can also help to prevent any possible gastrointestinal issues that might disturb their sleep.
Try an Herbal Sleep Aid
If you have your child in a special education center, it’s important that they’re able to focus on class. Getting a good amount of sleep can really help them to be productive. Trying something such as a Melatonin or another doctor-prescribed medication may aid their sleep. Eventually, you should be able to ween them off of the medication. However, it’ll definitely help the current situation.
Comforting Your Child
Many children with special needs often seek some sort of physical pressure. If your child wakes up in the middle of the night, try rubbing their arms, legs, hands, feet, and legs. The motion and pressure can help them relax and will tire them out. This will help to make them more productive come morning at their school for special education.
Essential Oils
Essential oils can be used to fix many problems. Rubbing the oils on their stomachs can help them relax and easily fall asleep. For example, lavender is a great resource if you’re looking to relax. But applying lavender to the child, the scent will instantly help them calm down.
If your child has a big day coming up with their special education program but can’t sleep, there are solutions. Administering sleeping medication, essential oils, and by stopping their food intake at a reasonable time, you’re ensuring a good night of sleep.