Melatonin

Sleeping problems are a huge issue for many autistic children.  A year ago at the suggestion of Will’s pediatrician we started giving Will melatonin to help him fall asleep earlier.  He went from falling asleep at 11 or 11:30pm every night to falling asleep two hours sooner.  I am so happy he is getting more sleep at night.  He is only ten and if he doesn’t get enough sleep that has to translate into not doing as well at school and not feeling well physically.  

Will was sleep deprived for years.  I tried melatonin when Will was three and still eating wheat and it didn’t make any difference.  So, I didn’t continue.  Obviously, in hindsight, I wish I had tried it again after he was on the gfcf diet.

A study came out last year confirming melatonin’s effectiveness in treating sleep problems in children with autistic spectrum disorder and/or fragile X syndrome.