Everyone knows that getting enough sleep can be a huge part of our effectiveness, functionality and mood.
But for those living with FASD, sleep disorders have been well-documented as a problem on a whole new level. Getting to sleep and staying asleep is very hard for them, and the lack of good sleep means that behavioural issues are elevated. Around 80% of parents and carers of children with FASD say their children have problems with sleep. These can include:
It's a big subject, but there are some basic tips which are essential, including avoiding pre-bed excitement, creating a calm quiet bedroom with low stimulus (no clutter), using ear plugs or headphones and heavy blankets. No screen time and calming music can also be helpful.
• We have curated some of the most helpful tips and combined them with our own kaimahi / staff's lived experience to created a Fact Sheet on 'FASD and Sleep' – click here to read.
• A June 2023 report by the Edmonton Fetal Alcohol Network in Alberta, Canada, was prompted by various recent studies and has some helpful strategies – click here to read.
• A UK clinical study on FASD and sleep which questioned over 100 caregivers found that sleep duration and quality is a direct predictor of anxiety in children with FASD. The aim of this piece of work was to outline how important sleep is in those with FASD and to encourage practitioners to consider sleep intervention strategies as a therapeutic priority – click here to read.
