Sleep, What Sleep?!

Having difficulty sleeping as a child is not an uncommon issue. Still, research suggests that children with complex medical needs are more likely to have sleep issues, with up to 86% of children with additional needs having sleep problems.

There can be several reasons for this, which include:

• Physical discomfort
• Medical matters
• Sensory issues
• Inability to self-settle
• Learning difficulties
• Frequent hospitalisation
• Behavioural issues

You are not alone if you struggle to help your child sleep through the night!

Many parent carers live life with a deep sense of exhaustion. The challenge of managing sleep disorders, special dietary needs, medical care, adapting to changing behaviours and situations, as well as navigating life outside of parenthood, can understandably feel very overwhelming!

Difficulty finding consistent and appropriate paid carers only compounds the issue, with parent carers often ‘working shifts’ that do not end for days and waiting months between periods of respite. Being sleep-deprived affects concentration and memory, making it very difficult to complete everyday tasks.

While there is no immediate ‘cure’ for parent carers, with changes needed in Local Authority funding, children’s social care and workforce retention, there are some resources and organisations that may be able to help.

Resources

Click the yellow boxes below to download free resources on helping your child sleep.

Other organisations that can help:

• The Sleep Charity (incorporating The Sleep Council) provides advice and support, including workshops and the national sleep helpline.
• Scope offers Sleep Right workshops, telephone help and home visits in certain areas of the country.
• Sense has information for parents of children on sleep who are deaf/blind.
• Cerebra Sleep Advice Service offers one-to-one telephone support and help with organising sleep workshops.
• The Lullaby Trust provides expert advice on safer sleep for babies.
• The National Autistic Society has information and strategies to help with sleep for people affected by autism spectrum disorders.
• Parenting NI offers support, education, counselling, and training for parents who are stressed and or dealing with behavioural issues in Northern Ireland.
• Sleep Scotland helps families of children with additional needs or with severe sleep problems in Scotland.
• The WellChild Family Tree is a community of families in the UK with children who have complex medical needs. Connecting parents and carers to share experiences, advice, mutual support, and friendship.

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