Night Terrors and Autism: All You Need to Know

Has a loved one ever started thrashing and screaming with fear and panic while sleeping? They may be experiencing night terrors. They may wake up sweating, confused, and disoriented and have a hard time catching their breath due to the night terrors.

Unfortunately, night terrors and autism often go hand in hand. People on the spectrum tend to experience these sleep disturbances more frequently than neurotypical individuals. But what can parents and caregivers do to help their loved ones with autism address the night terrors and keep them safe?

What are night terrors?

In their simplest definition, night terrors are sleep disturbances that involve a lot of shaking, screaming, and crying. They usually happen prior to rapid eye movement or REM sleep. Compared to nightmares, night terrors are usually more frightening.

Nightmares tend to happen during REM sleep. The dreamer can usually recall vivid details when they wake up. In contrast, night terrors tend to make the person less likely to accept comfort. They usually don’t remember what caused the night terror episode when they awaken.

Some common signs of night terrors may include:

• Sudden screaming and thrashing
• Fast breathing
• Open eyes but not fully awake
• Difficulty recognizing familiar people

While anyone can experience nightmares, night terrors are more common among young children. Night terrors tend to occur between the ages of three and eight. 

Link between night terrors and autism spectrum disorder

Unfortunately, night terrors tend to be more common among children with autism. Many autistic children will struggle with sleep disorders. Night terrors can end up being just another issue interrupting their sleep patterns.

Night terrors can be stressful for both the children experiencing them and their parents. With autism spectrum disorder added to the mix, stress levels can go through the roof.

Many potential factors can contribute to children with autism experiencing night terrors. These potential causes can be neurological, emotional, or environmental, and can include:

• sensory sensitivities
• cognitive overload
• anxiety
• stress
• disrupted sleep patterns

Besides leading to night terrors, these factors can also contribute to autistic children having trouble falling asleep and lead to sleep deprivation.

Night terrors in autistic children and toddlers

When children experience night terrors as toddlers, they will often manifest as sudden and intense episodes of fear while they are sleeping. Children with autism experiencing night terrors will often thrash, scream, and cry, becoming inconsolable.

They may not recognize their parents or caregivers, making it almost impossible to comfort them until they calm down on their own.

Autistic children tend to experience more intense and more frequent night terrors than typically developing children. It’s more difficult for children with autism to remain calm during night terrors. This can lead to further sleep problems as they struggle with sleep regulation.

Some common effects of night terrors include:

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Sleep deprivation
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Emotional distress
• Anger and frustration
• Impacted social interactions and relationships

Night terrors in autistic adults

While night terrors are more common among children, they can continue into adulthood, especially among autistic adults.

Adult night terrors can often be triggered by stress, sleep deprivation, mental health or other developmental delays, or even a family history of sleep disorders.

When adults with autism spectrum disorder have night terrors, they may experience unique sleep disturbances compared to autistic children. These can include:

• difficulty sleeping and insomnia,
• early morning waking,
• sleep apnea,
• restless leg syndrome,
• and nightmares on top of night terrors.

Adults with autism spectrum disorders may experience anxiety or PTSD with daily routines that manifest as they prepare to fall asleep. These can lead to overstimulation that negatively affects sleep patterns.

Managing night terrors and autism

If your loved one struggles with night terrors, there are things you can do as a parent or caregiver to help manage them. This includes improving sleep habits, creating a bedtime routine, and providing a comfortable sleep environment.

Improving sleep habits

Some tips that can help improve sleep patterns include:

• avoiding caffeine before bed,
• limiting screen time, 
• using glasses to block blue light,
• ensuring the sleep environment’s temperature and noise levels are acceptable.

Creating a bedtime routine

A consistent bedtime routine can help autistic children who experience night terrors. Establishing a set time to go to bed and wake up can help set a consistent sleep schedule that helps both the child and the parent.

Creating this positive bedtime routine can include soft music or a parent reading to a child. Using visual prompts to encourage the bedtime transition can also help improve a child’s sleep.

Providing a comfortable sleep environment

Children with autism spectrum disorder may struggle with sensory processing disorder, so it may be more crucial to provide a comfortable sleep environment. Weighted blankets and soothing textures have been shown to reduce sleep disturbances.

While these can help reduce night terrors, they can still occur. If your child experiences night terrors, it’s important to remain calm and help them because they won’t be able to do so.

Once their intense episodes subside, you can provide reassurance and comfort to help them know they are not alone and have nothing to fear.

When to seek professional help

Night terrors can reach the point where a caregiver must seek professional help to address the issue. This is common when night terrors persist into adulthood, as a healthcare professional can often develop effective strategies to manage them. 

These can include therapeutic interventions, like ABA or medicinal options.

Some sleep disorders, such as night terrors, can severely disrupt sleep patterns, especially in autistic children. Melatonin or medications may be required to help them sleep.

Supporting better sleep for people with autism

Night terrors can be a problem, especially for school-aged children with autism. There can be many potential triggers for night terrors, which means there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to managing them. It’s important to individualize each management technique for the person battling night terrors.

Remember that you are not alone on this journey. Your loved one isn’t the first autistic person to experience night terrors. You aren’t the only caregiver taking care of someone struggling with sleep disorders.

Seek support if you need it. There are support groups ready to guide and encourage you and your loved one as you navigate the challenges of night terrors together.

FAQs

Q: Is there a link between autism and night terrors?

A: Autistic children are more likely to suffer from night terrors than typically developing children. Sensory sensitivities, anxiety, stress, disrupted sleep patterns, and melatonin dysfunction can all contribute to night terrors in children with autism.

Q: What are the sleep disorders linked to autism?

A: There are several sleep disorders linked to autism, including insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, and circadian rhythm disorders.

Q: Are nightmares a symptom of autism?

A: Anyone can experience nightmares. However, it has been shown to be a symptom of autism spectrum disorder. Research found more than 40% of adults and children with ASD experienced nightmares.

Q: At what age do sleep problems start with autism?

A: Most parents begin noticing sleep problems in children with ASD around 30 months of age when they are typically toddlers. However, depending on the individual child and where they may fall on the autism spectrum, sleep disturbances may manifest earlier or later than 30 months.

The post Night Terrors and Autism: All You Need to Know appeared first on Autism Parenting Magazine.

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