Meet Callie. She is five years old, autistic, and full of life. She’s high-energy, loves swimming, Barbies, and dressing up. Like many girls her age, she’s not a fan of being told what to do!

But for Callie and her family, daily life comes with unique challenges. Because Callie is non-verbal and has a cognitive delay, she can become easily overwhelmed. When things get too much, she struggles to calm down, which can lead to distressing moments for the whole family.

The Reality of Sleep and Additional Needs

Before contacting Cerebra’s Sleep Service, Callie’s parents were in a “really hard place.”

“We really struggle with Callie’s sleep and behaviour, especially in the school holidays. Life felt very heavy. Callie was going to sleep extremely late and getting very little sleep; I found it hard to switch off.”

Sleep deprivation doesn’t just affect the child; it ripples through the whole home. For Callie’s parents, it meant very little rest, less one-on-one time for Callie’s older brother, and a constant cloud of stress.

Finding Support with the Cerebra Sleep Service

When the family reached out to us, they were matched with one of our Sleep Practitioners. Our goal isn’t just to provide a ‘quick fix,’ but to offer expert, non-judgemental guidance tailored to each child’s specific sensory and developmental needs.

Callie’s mum shared her experience of the support:

“Our Sleep Practitioner was a wealth of knowledge regarding sleep and all things additional needs. He provided us with lots of helpful tips to help calm Callie down before bed and help her sleep for longer stints. He was able to guide me to useful resources while also providing a listening and non-judgemental ear on every phone call.”

A Service Built on Kindness and Value

At Cerebra, we know that how support is delivered is just as important as the advice itself. For Callie’s mum, the relationship with her practitioner was a vital part of their success:
“Our Sleep Practitioner is a real credit to your service. He is so knowledgeable but he has a way of delivering his knowledge while also making you feel heard and valued. He is kind and considerate to all disabilities and is always willing to learn himself… anyone who gets the chance to use this service will really feel the benefits.”

Brighter Days and Better Nights

Today, the routine in Callie’s house looks very different. By creating a positive association with her bed and building habits that bring her comfort, Callie is sleeping for longer.

The impact has been life-changing:

• For Callie: Being well-rested means she has better, more positive days at school.
• For the Family: Stress levels have dropped, and Callie’s mum finally has some vital time to herself in the evenings.
• “When Callie sleeps through the night, the next day is always brighter.”

About Cerebra

At Cerebra, we support families across the UK caring for children with brain conditions and additional needs. Our Sleep Service offers help to parents who are struggling with various sleep issues, providing one-to-one support and evidence-based advice.

We believe that every child deserves a good night’s sleep, and every parent deserves to feel supported. Our work is only possible thanks to the kind donations of our supporters.

• • Are you struggling with your child’s sleep? Access our Sleep Service here.