Sleep Issues?

I asked on SNs but thought I'd ask here too:

I am going to lose my mind with 36 month old DS. I have always been crazy about having him on a schedule. He has always been a great sleeper (minus the typical molar issues). However, for the past 3 months we have been in hell with him. It starts at bedtime. Our routine used to be two books while he laid in bed, a hug with a song and then sleep. Now he wont stay in his bed for a book. he runs around the room. Well then tell him if he wont get in bed then he doesnt get a book or song. It doesnt matter. We are consistent, dont chase him, put the books away, say "night night", shut the light and close the door. He then lays down in front of the door (and usually goes right to sleep). After an hour we attempt to open the door and put him back in bed. However, because he is laying in front of the door, we literally have to knock the door into him to get in his room. Its a coin toss whether he wakes up enough to get out of bed and lie by the door again. If we leave him on the floor he doesnt sleep well and wakes up at 1-2 a.m. and SCREAMS and bangs on the door. I have no issue doing CIO and have done it in the past but it is not working for us now. We live in a coop and already have had complaints from our downstairs neighbor. He literally screamed for 2+ hours, while banging on the door for seven days straight. Right now it is 2:13 a.m. and he is tantruming by his door screaming "OPEN DADDY DADDY DADDY OPEN OPEN OPEN OPEN...."

I have tried dropping his afternoon nap. That hasnt helped. I have gradually moved his bedtime from 7 to 8 and that hasnt helped either. I have tried reasoning with him but he doesnt seem to understand. I have tried going back in and putting him back in and leaving without acknowledging him but that doesnt work either. Talking, screaming, soothing...nothing. I even broke my cardinal rule and tried bringing him in our bed. He still did not want to lie down.

P.S. Its not molars...all of his are in already

Message edited 6/22/2012 2:30:19 AM.

Sleep Issues?

If you figure it out let me know. My DS will be 5 in August. We have been battling this since he was 3. We use melatonin 4 weeks on 2 weeks off. It works, it's natural, and so far so good.

AJ is ASD. It's very common in spectrum kids, the sleeping or lack of

Re: Sleep Issues?

I totally know what your going through. We had to put a tv in DS's room and so far so good. Some nights he's the same way though and will just scream until we let him out.