Autistics and Awakeness

If autistic, at least some of these will likely be present:

- sensory sensitivity needs

- anxiety/tenseness/thwarting/trauma

- fear = flight / fright / fight / flop / freeze / fawn

- proprioceptive needs

- interoceptive needs

- kinesthetic needs

- under-communication / non-verbal signs

- hyperactivity/irritability

- need for a little more sun (even cloudy)

- need for sameness / routine

- other co-occurring conditions and needs.

Only upon diagnosis might the following be specifically useful in identifying more than one contributory issue if disturbing sleep patterns and occurrences keep happening.

These identified issues can be looked out for, and then raised with a GP, Family Doctor, Paediatrician, Sleep Specialist or Psychologist - as ends up appropriate.

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Greally's Checklist for Early Morning Awakeness, Night Terrors, Sleep Hygiene, etc.

Wet

☐ sweat ☐ incontinency ☐ dampness ☐ humidity

Dry

☐ hydration ☐ static ☐ dry feel

Hot

☐ room temperature ☐ duvet thickness

Cold

☐ room temperature ☐ duvet thickness

☐ bedtime attire ☐ draughts

Light

☐ curtain cracks ☐ device LEDs ☐ no blackout curtain backing

Dark

☐ night-light need ☐ torch availability

Noise

☐ tiny noises ☐ thrumming

Silence

☐ needing white, pink or brown noise ☐ need fan on

Smell

☐ incontinency ☐ unfamiliarity ☐ mustinessy

☐ black mould (stachy botrytis)

Touch

☐ massage ☐ pressure ☐ accompaniment ☐ favoured toy

☐ weighted bedclothing ☐ greasiness

Texture

☐ rough ☐ smooth ☐ silky ☐ itchy ☐ scratchy ☐ clammy

Movement

☐ periodic limb movement disorder ☐ pain upon turning

☐ poor positioning ☐ sleep-walking

Illness

☐ currently unwell ☐ fever ☐ cramps ☐ pain

Exposure

☐ too cramped ☐ too open a space ☐ unprotected/unlimited

Focus

☐ clock or alarm clock visible

Terror

☐ night terrors ☐ threats ☐ parasomnia ☐ nightmares

Trauma

☐ cPTSD ☐ vivid memory ☐ panic ☐ vertigo

Anxiety

☐

Depression

☐

Irritation

☐ physical ☐ grumpiness,crankiness

☐ hyperactivity ☐ post-outburst irresolution

Anger

☐

Worry

☐

Stress

☐

Excitement

☐ over-excitement ☐ gaming adrenalin

Routine

☐ disturbances ☐ breaks ☐ changes ☐ overtiredness

☐ midday nap timing/duration

Frustration

☐ thwarting

☐ lacking agency

☐ yearning

Bottling-up

☐ communication issues ☐ the 'unsaid' or 'unspoken'

Sunshine

☐ 20 minutes per day sunny/overcast

☐ progressive dimming 1 hour before bedtime

Exercise

☐ 30 mins per day minimum

Detachment

☐ Attachment disorders

☐ Rejection sensitivity disorder

Disassociation

☐ out-of-body experiences

☐ bed not reserved-for-sleeping

Fear

☐ of missing out

☐ of repeated incidents

☐ impending death

☐ existential threats

☐ other insecurities

Pain

☐

Digestion

☐ reflux ☐ bloating ☐ constipation

☐ late eating

Breathing

☐ Asthma ☐ allergies ☐ rhinitis ☐ feeling stuffy

DNA

☐ Prader-Willi ☐ Angelman ☐ Smith-Magenis ☐ Rett

REM

☐ REM TO N-REM switching

(some children need semi-awakening at YOUR bed-time to switch from a REM to NREM sleep phase and avoid wide-awakening later on)

Additionally, in Older Children/Adults:

☐ Sleep Apnea

☐ Constitutional Insomnia

☐ RLS or Restless Leg Syndrome

☐ Narcolepsy

☐ Medication side-effects

☐ Caffeine (esp. late consumption)

☐ Hormonal Changes

☐ Mental Health

☐ Partying too hard, lol