For many five-year-olds, life is about play and imagination. This is certainly true for one little girl, E, we recently supported. E is autistic, a fan of farm animals, and loves nothing more than lining up her Duplo characters to tell stories.
However, she also has a PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) profile, which means that everyday demands, like getting dressed or getting ready for bed, can feel incredibly overwhelming.
The Challenge of High Anxiety and Sleep
Because E is a Gestalt Language Processor (GLP), she has a lot of language but can struggle with the ‘back and forth’ of conversation. For her parents, this meant meticulous planning of every weekend and holiday using visuals and social stories.
Before contacting Cerebra, the nights were a significant struggle:
“E would not fall asleep on her own and it would take a long time. She also woke up multiple times in the night. We were getting about 8-9 hours of sleep, but it was disrupted and difficult.”
For the family, this meant E’s sister often had to come second, and plans were frequently sidelined by dysregulation and exhaustion.
Specialist Support for Complex Needs
This family accessed our Sleep Service and used our Parent Guides and Factsheets. They needed more than just general advice; they needed support that understood how PDA, anxiety, and sensory processing intersect with sleep.
Mum shared her experience of the service:
“I had an informed conversation with a sleep consultant. I felt listened to, understood, and given excellent advice. We received information specifically about PDA and sleep, anxiety, and sensory processing.”
From 8 Hours to 11 Hours: A Family Transformed
The results of this tailored approach have been profound. By understanding the “why” behind E’s sleep challenges, the family was able to implement strategies that worked for her specific needs.
The transformation has been incredible:
- Independent Sleep: E is now falling asleep on her own.
- More Rest: E has gone from 8 hours of disrupted sleep to 11 hours a night.
- Daily Regulation: With more rest, E is more regulated during the day.
The impact on the whole family cannot be overstated:
“It’s changed our life! We’re now all getting more sleep, and we feel more energised and can face challenges with more clarity.”
About Cerebra
At Cerebra, we understand that every child is unique. Whether your child has a PDA profile, is a Gestalt Language Processor, or has sensory processing sensitivities, our Sleep Service is here to provide bespoke, expert advice. We offer a range of Parent Guides and Factsheets to help you navigate the complexities of sleep and brain conditions.
As a UK charity, our mission is to help families discover a better life together.
Seeking support? Explore our Sleep Service & Factsheets
