Melatonin and Autism......

Our kids have always been great sleepers from the time they
were babies. Once we figured out that both had "silent reflux"
then we were able to manage it and they slept through the night
even though they were both nursed. It was so great for us to lay
them in their bassinet at 9:30 PM and be able to sleep until 6
or 7 AM. We didn't realize how much we would miss that sleep
until it became such a habit for our son not to sleep.

Sleep deprivation can make people crazy!!! You'll drive away
& leave your coffee on the roof of your car, you forget things and
sometimes even scare yourself with your own version of auto pilot.
I've gotten to my daughter's preschool & been so tired that I wasn't
even sure I drove there. I lost my car in the parking lot one day
because I was so tired but to make it better I had driven my husband's
car so it took me even longer to find it. LOL

Out of desperation I started doing research into Autistic children
& sleep disturbances. I couldn't have been more relieved when I found
& read the research about Melatonin being used with Autistic children.
Well I called my Pediatrician right up and asked his advice. He hadn't
read it but promptly did and called me the next morning to say he
didn't see any reason not to try it. I must say our new Pediatrician is
very supportive & encouraging. He's especially good about reminding
my husband when he's in the office not to forget I need a break too.

Thus began my pursuit of Melatonin and a safe way to administer
it to my son. I read online & called my Pediatrician again who suggested
I try the vitamin or health food stores. I found it in a liquid and began
putting a drop in my son's dinner time beverage. He was sleepy almost
as soon as he was done eating. We got him right into his pj's and ushered
him off to bed without a complaint. My husband & I did the sleepy time
dance and then promptly went to bed ourselves at 9PM. When you're
as tired as we were you'd try anything too.

You must keep to a schedule and make sure they don't go for too
many days straight without a break from the Melatonin. They can
build up a tolerance or even become immune. When I say this was a
life saver its no exaggeration. Driving tired is just as dangerous as
drinking drunk. I won't deny that there aren't still days that Will
isn't awake at 3AM but its usually if he's getting sick or having a
growth spurt again.