ADLs & Adaptive Skills

Sleep

• Challenges are often reported to OTPs by caregivers

• Difficulties include: 

  • falling asleep

  • staying asleep

  • colic/crying

  • daytime behavior due to poor sleep quality

Sleep Recommendations

• Newborn - 2 months

  • Amount of Daily Sleep Needed: 12-18 hrs

  • Nap Frequency and Duration: throughout the day

• 3-11 months

  • Amount of Daily Sleep Needed: 12-16 hrs (including naps)

  • Nap Frequency and Duration: 2-4x daily; 30 mins-2 hr duration

• 1-3 years

  • Amount of Daily Sleep Needed: 11-14 hrs (including naps)

  • Nap Frequency and Duration: 1-2x daily; 1-3 hrs duration

• 3-5 years

  • Amount of Daily Sleep Needed: 10-13 hrs (including naps)

  • Nap Frequency and Duration: once daily

Sleep Studies

• completed in a medically supervised environment

• measure the amount & quality of sleep using sensors placed on the body & head

• used to diagnose sleep disorders & sleep apnea

• most typical in kids with low tone*

Sleep Interventions

• coaching parents to recognize child's signals

  • e.g. if a child yawns 2x, it signals the child is ready to be put down; if the third yawn comes, it will be harder to get them down

• positive bedtime routines and sleep hygiene

  • e.g. involves sleeping in something comfy, good room temperature, a book

• nighttime positioning

• limiting blue light exposure/media use before bed

• sensory tools

  • using fitted sheets/cotton sheets to apply deep pressure to mimic secure environment in utero (aged 2+)

  • weighted blanket (1lb of blanket weight per 10lbs of the child's body weight)

  • warmies - weighted & heat-able stuffies

  • sleep tents - beneficial for children who elope at night to keep them safe; once zipped in, they can't get out by themselves

  • white noise machines

  • essential oils

  • blackout curtains

  • eye-masks

ADLs