Melatonin for Autism
The body produces melatonin naturally, but in autistic children their bodies do not produce enough. This can cause the child to have a hard time falling asleep at night. When the body does not receive enough sleep there can be a great many problems that are caused for the autistic child. Lack of sleep can bring about behavioral problems and all sorts of other issues. The parents will be finding it difficult to get a good nights sleep when their child is unable to fall asleep. Being tired is not fun for anyone, but for the parents of an autistic child and the child as well, the problem can be especially difficult.
For parents of autistic children who are having a hard time falling asleep, there might be some relief with the use of melatonin supplements. Health food stores and pharmacies will most likely carry these supplements in your area. It is a safer approach to helping the child fall asleep than prescription drugs. A child who is given prescription drugs to fall asleep might become dependant on them. Melatonin is a naturally produced substance in the body. Adding a supplement will just ensure that your child has the right amount to help them fall asleep.
The supplement is generally given to the child thirty minutes before bedtime. The child should only receive the lowest dosage of the supplement that helps the child to go to sleep. Many children only need a dosage of one to three milligrams of the supplement to help them go to sleep at night. You should make sure that you start your child off with the lowest dose to find results. If you give your child too much at first you will find it difficult to wake the child up in the morning. Some children will also experience nightmares if the dose is too high. You want to give your child the lowest dose that helps them fall asleep but does not leave them tired the next morning.
Melatonin does not become ineffective with continuous use. If you find that your child does not seem to be seeing the same effects you can try stopping it for a few days to see if it helps. There are other benefits to taking a melatonin supplement for autistic children. Those who have been given the supplement seem to be more alert after taking it the night before. It can also be helpful for depression and anxiety.
If the autistic child is having a hard time falling asleep at night, melatonin supplements might be the answer to the problem. If your doctor has already prescribed a sleep medication for your child, you should discuss the use of melatonin with the doctor. It is very important that the child only receive melatonin before bedtime. If the child is given the supplement too late at night it could cause a disruption of their natural internal clock. This can cause other problems that are worse than lack of sleep.
If the doctor is suggesting a sleep medication for your child, you should mention the use of melatonin to help with the problem. There are no side effects from the supplement and children will not be dependant on it to get to sleep at night. The supplement is a natural product of our bodies. There are those that do not produce enough melatonin to get a proper nights rest.