Working with Dr. Jill McGarry
#13
#13
A flexible approach for autism and sleep
A flexible approach for autism and sleep
A flexible approach for autism and sleep
How a more flexible approach to sleep can be helpful in the context of autism.
ACT
Post Video Reflection
Post Video Reflection
Notice
If this is relevant to you, which sensory input feels too strong or too faint around bedtime?
If this is relevant to you, which sensory input feels too strong or too faint around bedtime?
Try
Try
Choose one sensory adjustment, such as light, sound or touch, that might make resting more comfortable, without building a demanding routine around it.
Choose one sensory adjustment, such as light, sound or touch, that might make resting more comfortable, without building a demanding routine around it.
Live
Live
What support could help your day and night work better with your individual needs?
What support could help your day and night work better with your individual needs?
I've answered these (e.g. in my notebook)
Session Recap
01
Sleep differences may begin early
For some autistic people, taking a long time to fall asleep has been a consistent pattern since childhood. Recognising this can reduce the assumption that the difficulty was created solely by worry or “bad” sleep habits.
01
Sleep differences may begin early
For some autistic people, taking a long time to fall asleep has been a consistent pattern since childhood. Recognising this can reduce the assumption that the difficulty was created solely by worry or “bad” sleep habits.
02
Body-clock differences are more common
Autistic people are more likely to experience differences in circadian timing and melatonin production. Where sleep onset is persistently difficult, this may warrant properly tailored professional advice rather than increasingly strict bedtime routines.
02
Body-clock differences are more common
Autistic people are more likely to experience differences in circadian timing and melatonin production. Where sleep onset is persistently difficult, this may warrant properly tailored professional advice rather than increasingly strict bedtime routines.
03
Flexible support reduces additional pressure
People who find demands difficult may experience rigid sleep rules as another source of arousal. A flexible, experimental approach allows helpful conditions to be used without turning them into compulsory requirements for sleep.
03
Flexible support reduces additional pressure
People who find demands difficult may experience rigid sleep rules as another source of arousal. A flexible, experimental approach allows helpful conditions to be used without turning them into compulsory requirements for sleep.
Explore the other Sluzzle clinician courses
An ACT & CFT based approach helping you to improve your relationship with sleep.
Sluzzle offers educational help for everyday sleep challenges and isn’t designed for medical sleep disorders.
©2026 Sluzzle - All rights reserved. Address: 3rd Floor, 86-90 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4NE
An ACT & CFT based approach helping you to improve your relationship with sleep.
Sluzzle offers educational help for everyday sleep challenges and isn’t designed for medical sleep disorders.
©2026 Sluzzle - All rights reserved. Address: 3rd Floor, 86-90 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4NE
An ACT & CFT based approach helping you to improve your relationship with sleep.
Sluzzle offers educational help for everyday sleep challenges and isn’t designed for medical sleep disorders.
©2026 Sluzzle - All rights reserved. Address: 3rd Floor, 86-90 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4NE