Check out the full episode with Gabrielle Carmody on YouTube:
Summary
In this episode, Gabrielle Carmody, a BCBA and sleep specialist, discusses the importance of sleep for children, particularly those on the autism spectrum. She shares her journey into the field, the challenges families face regarding sleep, and effective strategies for creating bedtime routines. The conversation emphasizes the need for parents to understand sleep as a skill that can be taught and improved upon, as well as the significance of addressing both behavioral and medical factors that affect sleep quality.
Takeaways
80% of children on the spectrum can suffer from sleep challenges.
Creating a good bedtime routine is an all-day concept.
Cues signal to the learner that expectations are changing.
Access to screens in the evening is not helpful.
Sleep is a setting event for challenging behaviors.
We need to teach skills around sleep.
If you don’t have a child who’s sleeping, you’re not sleeping.
Look at what is going well in the bedtime routine.
Sleep challenges can impact the entire family.
Sleep is a skill we have to teach.
Sound Bites
“Sleep challenges can impact the entire family.”
“Creating a good bedtime routine is an all-day concept.”
“Cues signal to the learner that expectations are changing.”
“Access to screens in the evening is not helpful.”
“Sleep is a setting event for challenging behaviors.”
“Look at what is going well in the bedtime routine.”
“Sleep is a skill we have to teach.”
“We need to teach skills around sleep.”
Chapters
00:00 The Journey to Sleep Specialization
02:58 Understanding Sleep Challenges in Children
06:10 Creating Effective Bedtime Routines
08:59 The Importance of Cues and Expectations
11:56 Identifying Signs of Sleep Issues
14:50 Common Mistakes in Bedtime Routines
18:12 The Role of Skills in Sleep Success
21:09 Sleep as a Setting Event
23:58 Addressing Medical Factors in Sleep
26:54 Teaching Sleep as a Skill
29:47 First Steps for Parents
33:04 Final Takeaways and Resources
About All About Kids:
AAK, the leading provider of children’s therapeutic and educational skills in New York. Their team of experts offer diagnostic evaluations as well as direct and consultative behavioral intervention services to children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. After comprehensive assessment, each child has a portfolio or program book designed specifically to meet his or her individualized needs. The quality of our ABA services are closely monitored through program and field supervision as well as ongoing consultation by BCBA’s/BCaBA’s, and Experienced Team Leaders.
Click here for a link to comprehensive educational and support resources. Previous podcast episodes and more information about All About Kids is available here.
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