Practical Support for Sleep Issues in Neurodivergent Children 

Why neurodivergent children may have sleep difficulties – and what really helps

If bedtime feels like a nightly battle, you’re not alone.

In this insightful PDA Society Q&A session, paediatric occupational therapist Nathalie Shek explores why traditional sleep advice often doesn’t work for neurodivergent children, particularly those with a PDA profile, and shares practical, compassionate alternatives that can reduce anxiety and make sleep feel safer and more achievable.

Rather than focusing on routines, rewards, or “sleep training”, Nathalie explains how sleep difficulties are often linked to the nervous system, sensory processing, autonomy, anxiety, trauma, and the pressures children experience throughout the day.

In this session you’ll discover:

✔ Why bedtime itself can become a demand

✔ How to reduce pressure around sleep without abandoning boundaries

✔ What to do when your child senses the “agenda” behind bedtime

✔ Why co-sleeping, night waking, nightmares, and delayed sleep patterns are so common in neurodivergent children

✔ The role of sensory needs, movement, light exposure, food, and emotional safety in supporting sleep

✔ Practical strategies for children who become distressed, dysregulated, or fearful at bedtime

✔ How to support teenagers whose sleep patterns have completely shifted

✔ Why melatonin doesn’t always work – and what else to consider

✔ Ways parents can protect their own wellbeing when everyone in the family is exhausted

A fresh perspective on sleep

One of the most powerful messages from this session is that sleep isn’t just about what happens at bedtime. Nathalie explains how sleep is the outcome of a child’s entire day, from sensory experiences and emotional demands to feelings of safety, connection, and autonomy.

You’ll come away with a deeper understanding of why sleep can be so challenging for PDA and neurodivergent children, along with practical ideas you can start trying straight away.

Perfect for:

• Parents and carers of PDA, autistic, ADHD, and other neurodivergent children
• Family members supporting a child with sleep difficulties
• Professionals working with neurodivergent young people
• Anyone looking for low-demand, nervous-system-informed approaches to sleep

Packed with practical examples, reassuring insights, and real-world strategies, this session offers a compassionate alternative to conventional sleep advice that often leaves neurodivergent families feeling frustrated and misunderstood.

DISCLAIMER

The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the PDA Society.

While we aim to provide balanced and inclusive discussions, individual experiences and perspectives may vary. The PDA Society is committed to using language and terminology that reflects the preferences of PDA and autistic people, but sometimes our guests may use language and terminology which differs.

Appearance on our podcast is not an endorsement of an individual, and not all of our guests will align with our position on the issues discussed.