Sleep plays an important role in children’s physical health, emotional wellbeing, and ability to learn and focus during the day. Many children may experience difficulties with sleep that impact their daily routines and overall development. This guide offers practical strategies and advice to help improve sleep habits and create a calming bedtime routine that supports better rest for your child.
Exercises to Help Calm presents some ideas to help your child unwind at the end of the day.
Our presentation on Sleep Advice for Children and Adults provides examples of bedtime routines for children with SEN and highlights what to avoid before bedtime.
Find a sample bedtime routine checklist and visuals in our OT Sleep Routine Programme guide.
Explore how to Create a Sensory Routine for Sleep in our guide which contains sensory strategies for sleep preparation and bedtime
The Sleep Charity has extensive resources on sleep issues including a section for sleep for children with SEND and offers a National Sleep Helpline.
The Raising Children website contains advice on better sleep for autistic children aged 3-8 years old.
Scope provides guidance on helping children with disabilities sleep and has a sample sleep diary that can be downloaded.
Find some ideas in Sleep Better, Feel Better on improving sleep patterns for Primary School children
Cerebra have a Sleep Tips booklet as well as a one-to-one Sleep Advice Service for families struggling with sleep issues.
The Centre for ADHD & Autism Support offer sleep support to enable parents to gain a greater understanding of how to support children with sleep issues. They hold regular workshops offering insight into the importance of sleep, as well as strategies for how to support your child to have a more restful night’s sleep as well as offering support on a one-to-one basis. The Sleep Matters workshop can be booked here.
Further support
The Woodfield Road Clinical Psychology Team run a sleep group for parents and carers with children aged 0-7 workshop with common issues around sleeping. Further information can be found in this flyer.
