I am seeking methods that experienced people w/a disabled child have tried for a bedtime ritual.
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How To Get A Child W/a Disibility To Go To Sleep?
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I am seeking methods that experienced people w/a disabled child have tried for a bedtime ritual.
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have you tried giving them warm milk
Many years ago I used to work for this agency that supplied residential settings for mentally disbled people. One the “homes” I worked at cared for children. We had a particular child that had troubles staying asleep. The child’s psychiatrist recommended the following course of action. The staff was taught therapeutic massage techniques, which we applied to the child at bed-time. Additionally, we played a tape that had soothing “new-Age” type music, with a voice-over repeatedly saying the child’s name, and saying good things about the child, such as what a good boy he was, and how loved he was, etc., once the child was put to bed. If I recall, these tactics had positive effects.
As you know children with disabilities (and adults) need routines. It is up to you to set that routine and stick to it every night. The child might not get the hang of it for a short while but they will start noticing that it happens every night and it will become natural to them like brushing their teeth. I’m sorry I don’t have anything better for you, but I have worked with mentally disabled adults for a long time now and know that a daily routine is key for their survival. Remember once you start it don’t stop, if you have to leave for a night, make sure whoever is watching him, they do the exact same routine, good luck.
Although I do not have a disabled child, I do have two children who are as good as they come at stalling when it is time to go to sleep. We have quite an elaborate bed-time ritual that if I skip one part increases the intensity of the stalling, I think the main purpose of a bed-time ritual is to make children feel safe and secure. Here is an outline of our routine:
Bathroom
Story time
Loves: (multi-part)
~peck on the lips
~nugga-nugga (aka Eskimo kiss -rubbing noses)
~Butterfly kiss (flicking eyelashes)
~Blow kiss
~Kissing Hand (after a book by the same title, kiss the palm of the hand with a kiss to save for later)
~BIG Hugs
Lullaby (I sing Jesus Loves Me)
‘Rote’ Prayer
~~~~~~~Now I lay me down to sleep,
~~~~~~~I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
~~~~~~~Jesus watch me through the night,
~~~~~~~And wake me with the morning light.
Add-Lib Prayer (for friends, family, events)
and finally, quoting another poem:
~~~~~~Good-Night, Sleep-Tight, Don’t let the Bed-Bugs Bite,
~~~~~~If they do, I’ll take my shoe,
~~~~~~and beat them till they’re black and blue
Yes, this routine takes a good 30 minutes or more, but like I said, when we (I) follow this ritual, they usually go right to sleep, WITHOUT the typical hour of “I need a drink,” “I need another hug,” “I need to go to the bathroom,” etc, etc, etc. Some children need a parent to lay down with them to help them relax into sleep while at the same time knowing that Mom (or Dad) is there. Like I said, it is a safety and security issue.
Remember, it is a big world, and our children are very small, without the life-skills adults have learned to deal with the trials of daily life. I imagine it would be more so with a disabled or handicapped child who faces even more challenges (physically and emotionally) than a “normal” child does.