Sleep & Bedtime Strategies

Kiddos struggling with sleep? You’re definitely not alone! Today, we're talking sleep & bedtime strategies for kids - whether neurodiverse or neurotypical. We'll share some real-life hacks from our experiences as both clinicians and moms, offering tips & strategies that’ve worked in our homes and clinic. We’ll discuss everything from bedtime routines that actually make a difference to the common sleep woes parents face. So, grab your favorite cozy blanket, kick back, and let’s tackle those nighttime battles together – we’ve got your back!*This episode is intended to share general discussion around sleep, informed by personal experience, clinical knowledge, and principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis. It does not provide newborn sleep coaching or individualized sleep recommendations.Timestamps:(01:36) - Welcome(08:31) - What We Know From The Research(13:35) - Nighttime Sensory Processing Differences(19:42) - Sleep In Middle-Childhood (7-12)(25:42) - Cultural Perspectives on Sleep and Parenting(32:53) - Adapting Sleep Routines(41:52) - Strategies for Bedtime Routines(47:52) - Behaviour ContractsMentioned In This Episode:Chung, K.-M., Chung, E., & Lee, H. (2024). Behavioral interventions for autism spectrum disorder: A brief review and guidelines with a specific focus on applied behavior analysis. Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 35(1), 29–38.Guazzo, G. M., & Nappo, C. (2025). Sleep disorders in children with ASD: An ABA-oriented intervention. Journal of Clinical Practice and Medical Research, 1(3), 49–53. Malow, B. A., Muscatello, R. A., McGonigle, T., Vandekar, S., & Corbett, B. A. (2025). Trajectory of sleep patterns across adolescence in autistic and neurotypical youth. Sleep Medicine, 133, Article 106604.Spanò, G., Combs, D., Dwyer, P., Luongo, A., Parent-Johnson, W., & Edgin, J. (2024). Autism and sleep across development: Advancing research and treatment through co-production. Neurodiversity, 2, 1–10.Taylor, B. J., Pedersen, K. A., Mazefsky, C. A., Lamy, M. A., Reynolds III, C. F., Strathmann, W. R., & Siegel, M. (2024). From alert child to sleepy adolescent: Age trends in chronotype, social jetlag, and sleep problems in youth with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 54(12), 4529–4539.Other Resources:Greg Hanley Sleep Assessment ToolHatch LightGrow ClockSleep Playlist & Podcasts We Use:Koala MoonPlease Please Sleep****Visit The Sensory Supply for the best in sensory products to soothe, stimulate, and inspire.Learn about our clinic Elemenoe where we work to reach milestones together through speech, language, behaviour & learning.Visit neurodiversallyspeaking.com for all podcast & show info:Follow us:InstagramFacebookXYouTubeTikTokContact:Have a question or a topic that you'd love to hear on the show? Get in touch with us at [email protected]