only 5-6 hours of sleep

[daycare]

I have a dcf that has been with me for about 3.5 years. I am on their second child, who has been with me for about 1.5 years.

child is 3 years old.
From day one I knew that sleep was going to be an issue, it was with their sibling too. BUt this one is even worse than the other and the sleep issues are getting worse

according to what the parents are telling me is that the child is NOT sleeping at home. they lay down at 930pm for the reason that dcd does not get home from work until 8pm and it is in their culture that they must eat as a family.

child lays down at 930, parents claim that child is not going to bed until 1 or 2am and is back at my house daily by 8am.

when the child is here, they are mean and nasty. child has always been this way. in fact in the 3 years that i have known this child i have maybe seen them smile 2 times. the child will rub eyes, yawn a million times, look like they are about to pass out, but does not sleep here either. I have tried all sorts of things like laying down as soon as they arrive, laying down when teh eye rubbing and yawing gets so excessive, but nothing works. the child will not sleep here either.

the child is over the top brilliant. i dont know how they are learning here with the little amount of sleep the child gets. or how they are keeping up with us.

dck does stimulate themselves every second of the day by picking at lip, by rubbing the end of their shirt constantly, or twisting hair.

the issues are getting worse, not better. the child is just not sleeping. the parents beg me for help, but they don't ever follow through with anything. the parents are much older parents, almost in their 60s.

i have never seen this before. Has anyone ever dealt with this? I used to think it was behavior, but now I am wondering if there is something medically wrong?

[Heidi]

I think this child should be evaluated by a doctor. He may have a medical issue, or he may be on the edge of the spectrum.

That is quite a-typical, and I'd be hesitant to blame it on parenting alone. I'd seek medical advice.

[daycare]

I think this child should be evaluated by a doctor. He may have a medical issue, or he may be on the edge of the spectrum.

That is quite a-typical, and I'd be hesitant to blame it on parenting alone. I'd seek medical advice.

thanks for the reply. yeah i used to think it was because the parents are older and it's very obvious they can't keep up with their kids. the kids rule the roost and run circles around them daily.

I do agree that I think it's a medical issue. Guess i will have to talk to dcm again about going to the doc again.

[Heidi]

thanks for the reply. yeah i used to think it was because the parents are older and it's very obvious they can't keep up with their kids. the kids rule the roost and run circles around them daily.

I do agree that I think it's a medical issue. Guess i will have to talk to dcm again about going to the doc again.

and again, and again.

If you're so inclined, offer to go with her. Sometimes docs just won't listen, and parents need to be almost aggressive to get help. If these parents are ESL, they may be shy about pushing things, or maybe their culture wouldn't allow it. So, if you can be an advocate, great. If not, help them with some backbone.

I hate that we are so much a part of these kid's lives, but we can't talk to docs about things. I understand why, but it's frustrating sometimes.

[daycare]

and again, and again.

If you're so inclined, offer to go with her. Sometimes docs just won't listen, and parents need to be almost aggressive to get help. If these parents are ESL, they may be shy about pushing things, or maybe their culture wouldn't allow it. So, if you can be an advocate, great. If not, help them with some backbone.

I hate that we are so much a part of these kid's lives, but we can't talk to docs about things. I understand why, but it's frustrating sometimes.

I feel horrible for the child. the child's basic needs are not being met. the parents are trying, but may need another push.

the child can be very nice at times, but is like a bomb waiting to go off. they are never physical with anyone, but mean tones and words are used daily.

I hope I can help. they are ESL, but they have better English than me.

[Unregistered]

One of my dck was told to use the liquid melatonin. ...

[Heidi]

One of my dck was told to use the liquid melatonin. ...

I would have suggested that, but I think based on some of the other behaviors, a doctor should see him first.

[daycare]

I would have suggested that, but I think based on some of the other behaviors, a doctor should see him first.

they tried it and it did not work... I agree, it's time to go to the doc. this has been going on for over a year and I am seeing it getting worse.

It is almost like its a physiological thing at this point.

[Unregistered]

We have a child with the exact same problem except the self sstimulation, Its so bad they fall asleep while eating. We don't know what to do.

[daycare]

We have a child with the exact same problem except the self sstimulation, Its so bad they fall asleep while eating. We don't know what to do.

I wish this kid would fall asleep at the table. its like they are fueled on adrenaline and just keep going and going.

earlier this year I used to call for pick up when the child was so tired and would cry becuase of the fatigue. But now the child gets over that phase and I have no reason to send home because they are able to participate, just on the constant verge of passing out and never does...

[Leigh]

I suggest that you forcefully recommend a childrens' sleep clinic ASAP. This isn't an issue for a pediatrician if the child is only getting 5-6 hours of sleep. Personally, I would consider it an emergency.

[Blackcat31]

From day 1 my son never slept more than 5 hours at a time.
Never took an afternoon nap as a toddler or preschooler.
He is 24 now and still has sleep issues/gets very little sleep.
He has never been officially diagnosed but more than likely has Aspergers.
He has a very high IQ
He was an angry child/teen but happy young adult.

I know he has always had sleep issues but we've never figured out why or the root of them. He is currently being screened for a sleep study so we may have some answers but I dont know yet.

I just figured the sleep part was hereditary.
I rarely get more than 5 hours of sleep a night. I hate sleeping..

[Leigh]

From day 1 my son never slept more than 5 hours at a time.
Never took an afternoon nap as a toddler or preschooler.
He is 24 now and still has sleep issues/gets very little sleep.
He has never been officially diagnosed but more than likely has Aspergers.
He has a very high IQ
He was an angry child/teen but happy young adult.

I know he has always had sleep issues but we've never figured out why or the root of them. He is currently being screened for a sleep study so we may have some answers but I dont know yet.

I just figured the sleep part was hereditary.
I rarely get more than 5 hours of sleep a night. I hate sleeping..

How could anyone NOT love sleep? Are you human?:: I can't imagine a child sleeping only 5-6 hours when they "require" twice that amount. I mourn sleeping like it was a dead relative! My DCK's who are 3 & 4 can't function without nap-they are cranky by 4PM and their parents tell me that they are nightmares in the evenings when they don't sleep here (I can make 'em lay down, but I can't make 'em sleep).

[Heidi]

How could anyone NOT love sleep? Are you human?:: I can't imagine a child sleeping only 5-6 hours when they "require" twice that amount. I mourn sleeping like it was a dead relative! My DCK's who are 3 & 4 can't function without nap-they are cranky by 4PM and their parents tell me that they are nightmares in the evenings when they don't sleep here (I can make 'em lay down, but I can't make 'em sleep).

She doesn't like to eat either!

Seriously, BC...two of the best things in life How do you stay so happy and upbeat? It's just not right!

[daycare]

From day 1 my son never slept more than 5 hours at a time.
Never took an afternoon nap as a toddler or preschooler.
He is 24 now and still has sleep issues/gets very little sleep.
He has never been officially diagnosed but more than likely has Aspergers.
He has a very high IQ
He was an angry child/teen but happy young adult.

I know he has always had sleep issues but we've never figured out why or the root of them. He is currently being screened for a sleep study so we may have some answers but I dont know yet.

I just figured the sleep part was hereditary.
I rarely get more than 5 hours of sleep a night. I hate sleeping..

wow.... do you wish that you would have known earlier that your son had a disorder?

I am wondering if knowing that there is one will make any difference. is there anything that anyone can do to help this child?