When children have recurrent sleep problems, they and their families must deal with negative effects on behavior, mood, social interactions, physical stamina, and performance at school or work. This book offers step-by-step, "how to" instructions for helping children with disabilities get the rest they need. For problems ranging from bedtime tantrums to night waking, parents and caregivers will find a variety of widely tested and easy-to-implement techniques that have already helped hundreds of children with special needs — especially children with autism, Tourette syndrome, and cerebral palsy.

Written by a psychologist who was inspired by many sleepless nights with his own child, this book delivers proven techniques from the author's clinical and personal experience, making it a one-of-a-kind resource for families and professionals.

About the Author
Preface
Acknowledgments

I. The Nature and Problems of Sleep

1. An Overview of Sleep

• How Much Sleep Do We Need?
• When Are Owls and Larks Not Birds?
• What Is Sleep?
• What Is Our Biological Clock?
• How Does Our Temperature Affect Sleep?
• Conclusion

2. Sleep Problems

• How Common Are Sleep Problems?
• How Serious Are Sleep Problems?
• When Does Sleep Become a Problem?
• Common Sleep Problems
  • Insomnia
  • Hypersomnia and Narcolepsy
  • Breathing-Related Sleep Problems
  • Sleep Schedule Problems
  • Nightmares
  • Sleep Terrors
  • Sleepwalking and Sleeptalking
  • Periodic Limb Movements
  • Bedwetting
  • Tooth-Grinding
  • Rhythmic Movement Problems
• Conclusion

II. Assessing Sleep Problems

3. Identifying the Sleep Problem

• Steps to Understanding the Problem
• Sleep Diary
• Behavior Log
• Sleep Interview
  • Sleep Habits
  • Bedtime and Night Waking
  • Sleep Schedules
  • Nightmares
  • Sleep Terrors
  • Hypersomnia and Narcolepsy
  • Breathing-Related Difficulties
  • Sleepwalking and Sleeptalking
  • Limb Movement and Rhythmic Movement
  • Bedwetting
  • Tooth-Grinding
  • Anxiety and Depression
  • Daytime Behavior Problems
  • Other Causes
• Conclusion

III. Strategies for Change

4. Good Sleep Habits

• The Good Sleep Habits Checklist
• Bedtime Routines
  • The "Out of Control" Child
  • Bedtime Routines for Children with Autism
  • Bedtime Routines for Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
• Regular Sleep Times
• Caffeine
• Alcohol and Tobacco
• Sleep and Your Diet
• Exercise and Activity and Their Effect on Sleep
• The Bed and the Bedroom
• Conclusion

5. Help for Bedtime Problems

• Graduated Extinction
• Bedtime Fading
• Comparing Graduated Extinction and Bedtime Fading
• Combining Plans with Medication
• When Sleep Problems Rear Their Ugly Heads…Again
• Begin at Bedtime
• Conclusion

6. Sleeping Through the Night

• Causes of Night Waking
• Waking without Disruption
  • Sleep Restriction for Nondisruptive Waking
  • Dangerous Behavior at Night
• Disruptive Night Waking
  • Graduated Extinction
  • Sleep Restriction
  • Scheduled Awakening
• Conclusion

7. Sleeping at the Wrong Times

• Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome
  • Chronotherapy
  • Bright Light Therapy
• Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Cycles
• Napping and Poor Sleep Habits
• Conclusion

8. Nightmares, Sleep Terrors, and Related Sleep Problems

• Nightmares
  • Using "Magic"
  • Teaching Relaxation
• Sleep Terrors
  • Sleep Longer
  • Scheduled Awakening
• Sleepwalking and Sleeptalking
• Sleep Eating
• Conclusion

9. Excessive Sleepiness

• Hypersomnia
• Narcolepsy
• Breathing Problems
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
• Movement-Related Sleep Problems
  • Periodic Limb Movements
  • Restless Legs Syndrome
  • Rhythmic Movement Disorder
• Conclusion

10. Other Nighttime Difficulties

• Bedwetting
  • The Bell and Pad
  • Dry Bed Training
  • Full Spectrum Home Training
  • Medical Treatments for Bedwetting
• Problems with Anxiety
  • Paradoxical Intention
  • Other Helpful Hints for Children with Anxiety
• Problems with Depression
• Sleep-Related Headaches
• Nighttime Tooth-Grinding
• Conclusion

11. Daytime Behavior Problems

• Why Do Children Have Behavior Problems?
  • Rule Out Medical Problems
  • Impulsivity
  • Attention Difficulties
• What Is Your Child Trying to Tell You?
• How Do You Know What Your Child Is Trying to Tell You?
• The Seven "C's" for Changing Behavior
  • Calm Yourself
  • Communication
  • Choices
  • Change Preparation
  • Consequences
  • Constructive Feedback
  • Consider the Next Time
• Conclusion

12. Sleep and Medications

• Barbiturates
• Benzodiazepines
  • Halcion
  • Restoril
  • ProSom
  • Doral
  • Dalmane
• Antihistamines
• Other Sleep-Inducing Medications
  • Ambien
  • Melatonin
• Antidepressants
• Stimulants
• Other Sleep-Related Medications
• Conclusion

13. Preventing Sleep Problems

• Developmental Changes and Sleep
• Prevention Strategies
  • From Birth: Establishing Good Sleep Habits
  • At 3 Months: Fading Nighttime Feedings
  • At 6 Months: Sleeping Through the Night
  • The Preschool Years: Reducing Naps
• Conclusion

Appendix A. Support Groups and Associations
Appendix B. Sleep Pages on the World Wide Web
Appendix C. Accredited Sleep Disorders Centers
Appenidx D. Sleep Diary and Behavior Log
Appendix E. Albany Sleep Problems Scale

Endnotes
References
Additional Readings
Index