Good bedtime routines are so helpful with children with autism. The earlier you start the easier it is to get down, but having a good solid step by step approach every single night is best.

We started our routine when Maddie was about 8 months old, she was not diagnosed with autism yet but I knew bedtime routines were important for everyone in the house. So I researched several strategies and found the book called Solve Your Childs Sleep Problems by Richard Ferber to be the best.

The following bedtime routine has been what we have done for the past 8 years:

:: Pick a specific bedtime. We start our routine at 8:00 PM

:: Get pajamas on or take bath. Our baths were quick and business like get clean and get out (other wise you spend too much time on this step) 8:10 PM

:: Short Play time in the basement either with her brother Garrett or my husband or myself. This is high energy time, lots of gross motor play. We have an egg timer set for 10 minutes and the saying goes “when the timer dings it’s time for snack.” 8:10 PM

:: Snack time. We used to have ice cream before the GFCF diet now we have sorbet or Popsicles or whatever they feel like. 8:20 PM

:: Book time. They each get to pick out two books for us to read each night my husband and I take turns with each child every other night. Now that our kids are starting to read they read one book to us and we read the other. Then it’s a little hug and kiss and it’s off to sleep. 8:45 PM

Our kids live by this bedtime routine even when we have someone watch them we recommend the caregiver follow this routine. Actually, our kids would not allow anything else.

Now that Maddie is older she has been staying up by herself after the routine and working on workbooks or extra homework for about another 15 minutes. It sets a good pattern for them to feel comfortable going to sleep and sleeping through the night on their own. Having a good bedtime strategy has really been helpful.