Dated 15/7/18 to 21/7/18
Sleep disorder is the primary red flag parents of an Asd child comes across.Current data shows that 40-80% of children within the Asd world have sleep disorders.Since disorders impact mood,cognition and behaviour (hyperactivity,aggression) not just of the child but the whole family,the topic was dealt with much enthusiasm with participation from medical professionals and parents as well.
We express our sincere gratitude to
Dr Rafeeqali ,ENT
Dr Gideon Paul
Dr Roshni Anirudhan
Dr Hemalatha N Potti
Dr Gayathri .S
for providing us valuable informations on examining,evaluating and managing sleep disorders.
The *major symptoms a parent might come across are
*Difficulty to initiate sleep
*Inconsistent sleep or poor sleep quality
*Waking early and waking frequently
*Resistance to go to sleep
*Easily wake up on presence of feeble sound or presence of light
*Factors affecting sleep
*Low levels of melatonin
*Yeast and parasite infection
*Seizures
*Sensory issues (increase cortisol and decrease melatonin)
*Gut issues
*Vit D deficiency (low in mitochondrial disorders ,genetic mutations VDR taq,VDR basm. )
*Lower Magnesium levels which results in poor VitD absorption.
*Metabolic errors
*Dr.Gideon Paul provided enough journals to give an insight into Wireless radiation as a culprit for sleep issues
*Vitamin and mineral imbalance
*Hormonal changes in puberty
*Sleep apnoea characterised by snoring,mouth breathing,paused breath,mouth dryness
Dr. Rafeeqali pointed out the significance and need for a good medical history and examination for a proper evaluation (polysonogram) and further sleep management.Adenoid features (open mouth,high arched palate..) must be evaluated for *adenoiditis.
Nasal polyps,allergies,GERD ,laryngomalacia contribute to *apnoea
He further adviced to focus on evaluating sleep related disorders like irritable leg syndrome,nightmares,night terrors ,sleep walking as well.Pharmacological interventions was suggested to be a last option since it can cause dependance,agitation,liver and kidney functions.Melatonin was adviced to be a safer choice.
Remedies/interventions for sleep disorders as suggested by medical practitioners and parents
*Most parents agreed on the need for physical exhaustion for a good night sleep
*Life style modifications included Aromatherapy as sprays,lotions,baths thereby reducing cortisol levels (lavender,vanilla,cedar wood,vetiver,sandalwood),low lighting,calm music ,chamomile tea,following strict gfcfsf diet, and following a sleep hygiene(switch off Wi-Fi,keeping e devices in airplane mode,warm bath,healthy dinner etc)
*Dr Roshni Anirudhan and
*Dr Hemalatha N Potti
adviced on how ayurveda can help intervene sleep disorders.
Ksheerabala oil
Ashwagandharista
Milk with nutmeg(only occassionally)
Himasagara tailam
Check heavy to digest proteins(cashew,groundnut,)
2hrs of strenuous exercise
Thalam
Shirodhara
Ksheeradhara
Takradhara
Abhyanga ;were found to be effective for correcting sleep disorders in Asd kids.Parents provided positive remarks on ayurveda for sleep disorders.However some parents were also concerned and doubted if ayurvedic medicines are high in oxalates. Dr.Roshni cautioned on using melatonin as it manipulates the hormonal axis.
*Homeopathic remedies were very well explained by Mr Karthik Ramaswami.Yhe significance of
Bach flower remedies
Rescue remedies
White Chestnut
Yellow Lady's slipper ( _Cypripedium pubiscens_)
Bushmaster/Lachesis
Opium
were discussed with the help of *materia medica
Many parents spoke in favour of homeopathy as a remedy for sleep disorders while some parents pointed out it dint work for autism.
*Dr Gayathri.S revealed her positive experiences dealing with sleep disorders with high doses of biomedical supplements :-
Vitamin B6
Magnesium (sunflower and pumpkin seeds are natural sources)
Folate
Vitamin C
Co factors for enzyme synthesis for serotonin and so on.
*Sensory Integration Therapy elicits the production of neurochemicals to counter balance one another to support regulation and arousal of sleep.Deep pressure therapy increased serotonin levels and thereby melatonin levels.Proprioceptive activities like weighted blankets,sleep bags,body pillows and swaddling for babies were suggested by parents.They also suggested to satisfy the sensory needs by providing a decluttered calm,neutral tone,bed room with enough blinds to prevent unnecessary entry of light.
*Use of melatonin/precursors/supplements was suggested to be the safest option to induce sleep.Though many parents admitted it helped to induce sleep, some reported it failed to sustain sleep.Some even noticed anxiety and irritation when on melatonin.Since melatonin the natural hormone is produced only in dark,reducing exposure to all lights during sleep time will help to produce enough of it.
Though some parents still struggle with sleep disorders and routines; as age progresses most kids will attain a healthy sleep routine .It's appreciable to note that though many parents and kids were sleep deprived even during the time of discussion,each parent showed much curiosity to learn on sleep disorders.Hope the discussion helps a few...
Thank you all
Participants
Sophy
Gina
Jayalakshmi
Catherine Figarado
Priti Ajay
Deepa PG
Sanjay
Prasanthi Vankamamidi
Chitra Paul
Chitra Chandran
Chitra Subramanian
Asha Sanjeev
Jasmit
Sona Raghavan
Renu S
Priya Koundinya
Mahalakshmi Anoop
https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/helping-your-child-with-autism-sleep-an-overview-of-sleep-hygiene-and-behavioral-strategies/
https://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/helping-your-child-with-autism-get-a-good-nights-sleep
https://www.andnextcomesl.com/2016/03/diy-weighted-blanket-tutorials.html
https://www.thechaosandtheclutter.com/archives/sleep-solutions-children-sensory-needs
https://chopra.com/articles/7-ayurvedic-bedtime-rituals-to-help-your-child-sleep
https://www.collective-evolution.com/2018/07/05/more-research-shows-what-wireless-other-emf-radiation-is-doing-to-our-brain-overall-health/
https://www.nontoxicliving.tips/blog/8-tips-to-prevent-emf-sleep-disturbance
https://www.henriettes-herb.com/eclectic/cook/CYPRIPEDIUM_PUBESCENS.htm
https://www.dailypioneer.com/sunday-edition/agenda/trend/treat-sleep-apnea-with-homeopathy.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/16638513/
http://www.homeoint.org/books/boericmm/c/cham.htm
https://www.autism.org.uk/about/health/sleep.aspx?utm_source=The%20National%20Autistic%20Society&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=9674552_18.07.2018%20-%20July%20monthly%20enewsletter%20active&dm_i=YA3,5RCXK,SAKD4B,MG9EH,1#
#Asd parents and Therapists Group,Kerala
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