Elusive Sleep

13% of autistics have sleep issues compared to just 3.7% in the general population (Burman et al., 2023). Sleep disturbances may be around initiating sleep, parasomnias, maintaining sleep, frequent nighttime awakening, unable to go back to sleep, daytime fatigue. Sleep disturbances worsen other challenges associates with autism and adds to anxiety and impulsivity.

We urgently need research that leads to translatable solutions.

Elusive Sleep. 

Eyes wide open, mind in a haze

Sleep does not come, no matter how I try

Tossing and turning, pacing the floor

Thoughts racing, as the night goes on

A battle lost, sleep remains gone

The night seems endless, my mind won't compose

The hours pass, and the night wears thin

But sleep remains elusive, just won't restart

Frustration and exhaustion sink deep,

I try to relax, but my body is tense

Dreams elude me, as the night wears on

A prisoner of my thoughts, until the dawn

I'm trapped in a cycle I can't win

A new day awaits, but for now, I cannot cope.