How to Help Children With Asperger's Sleep Away From Home

Whether it's a sleepover with friends, or a vacation with family members, it is important to take a moment and determine if this is a good situation overall for the child. Children with Asperger's syndrome struggle with new scenarios, and the parents or caregivers should be certain the child is ready to handle this sort of challenge, as they typically suffer from a difficulty with social interactions. They may also be attached to the routines associated with sleeping at home. These two characteristics of Asperger's can be roadblocks for the child to sleep away from home successfully. However, with some preparation and time to review solutions for potential issues, the child can have an enjoyable sleepover experience.

Instructions

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      Some overnight situations may be necessary, such as a family trips. For those sleepovers that are optional, make sure it is likely to be a positive experience. Maybe the child is comfortable with the family hosting the sleepover, or they have voiced the desire themselves to have the sleepover.

    • 2

      Determine any details of the arrangement that can be controlled, such as what time the child goes to bed or what is being served for dinner. Those factors will be more likely to be accepted by the child if tipped in their favor, or at least, if they are given choices at each point.

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      Practice self-help skills before the event. If the child finds himself in an uncomfortable situation, such as having to sleep in a bunk bed versus on a regular bed, then let him know how to respond appropriately to make his needs known. The parent or caregiver can practice different social situations with the child, such as asking for a different drink at dinnertime, so he feels more in control of that potential issue.

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      Enlist the help of those who will be with the child during the sleepover. If it is a family event, then siblings or any other family members can be of assistance to make the child more comfortable. In the situation of a sleepover at a friend's house, it is helpful if the new family and friend are aware of the social limitations of the child with Asperger's. Those hosting the child need to be briefed on how a child with Asperger's might react to certain scenarios, if they aren't already familiar.

    • 5

      If the sleepover plan simply isn't working out, then it's a good idea to have another arrangement. On a family trip, it could be a destination chosen close to home, or finding a way to give the child a break from the new sights and sounds of the location. At a sleepover with friends, the child may decide to sleep at home and try again another day. In all of these scenarios, there shouldn't be too much pressure put on the child to go through with the plans. To have a successful sleepover, all parties involved need to be comfortable with the situation.

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