Any ideas on how to get my mildly autistic son, diagnosed with PDD-NOS to go to sleep on his own?

My son likes to cuddle at bedtime and most of the time he falls asleep on my lap while watching TV then, I have to carry him to bed. He is almost 4 and 40 pounds; he's getting too heavy for me to carry to bed.The pediatritian, teachers and therapists say this is fine since this is the only time he really wants to cuddle and its not excessive. I have tried to lay down in bed with him, he won't stay still and gets up or wants to play(I usually end up falling asleep). I have tried cuddling up with him and a book, but he looses interest after about a minute. I know in time this will come to an end, but I want to enjoy this bonding with my son now because as he grows up he won't want so many cuddles, kisses or hugs.Any ideas on how to get my mildly autistic son, diagnosed with PDD-NOS to go to sleep on his own?
Have you tried a weighted blanket?Any ideas on how to get my mildly autistic son, diagnosed with PDD-NOS to go to sleep on his own?
My child has aspergers syndrome which is a mild form of autisim. Is it an option for you to maybe put a tv in his room? That way he can fall asleep on his bed. When my son was at the age that I couldn't carry him to bed I got one of those play tents, and a sleeping bag his bed was big enough to fit it on, and every night he would curl up in it to go to sleep.Any ideas on how to get my mildly autistic son, diagnosed with PDD-NOS to go to sleep on his own?
Kids with autism tend to thrive on routine. If your routine has been to cuddle in front of the TV, he likes it because he's used to it. Maybe Dad can carry him to bed if he's too heavy for you?



If that's not an option, maybe you can change the routine. If you can establish a new routine around the bed instead (it might take a week or so for the newness to go away, depending on how well he responds to change when he's tired), he can grow to like that as well. Maybe you can start telling him stories in the dark, bring in a flashlight and wave it along the wall as you talk. If he likes to snuggle with you at night, can you move that to his bed? or part of it the sitting together, watching TV? I wouldn't recommend a TV in his room, obviously, but maybe there's a way to make that time just as special with stories or puppets...



You know your son and his particular brand of autism better than anybody else on the planet. Judge his expectations and what you think will work, try a tactic for at least a week, fine tune it as necessary for his needs.



Good luck--