Episode 50- "The Most Effective Approach to Helping Autistic Children with Sleep Issues" with Ashley Walters

The Sweet Slumber Podcast: Baby-Centered Sleep

In this Sweet Slumber podcast episode, host Meredith Brough interviews Ashley Walters, a sleep consultant for autistic children who is a graduate of the Sweet Slumber Baby-Centered Sleep Certification Program.
In this episode, Ashley discusses her personal experience with her son's sleep challenges and her holistic, gentle approach to sleep consulting. She emphasizes the importance of going slow with changes, as autistic children often struggle with too much change at once. She also provides tips for parents on consistency and flexibility in routines and advises other sleep consultants to refer cases to specialists like her if needed.
Whether you are a mother of an autistic child or a sleep consultant, you'll love learning more about Ashley's approach.
Topics

• Ashley's personal journey of helping her own son with autism overcome sleep issues
• Insight about Meredith's certification and Ashley's experience
• Other certifications Ashley earned
• Ashley's feelings about the supportive community Meredith provides for her certification students and Baby-Centered Sleep Mastermind clients
• Differences between Ashley's approach and traditional methods used in schools and other sleep programs
• Structure of Ashley's program, including one-on-one sessions and unlimited support
• Importance of customizing sleep solutions for each child's needs
• Signs parents should watch for in babies and toddlers that might point to autism and sleep issues

Find Ashley on Instagram @autismsleepsolutions to reach out to her for her expertise.

Learn More About the Baby-Centered Sleep Consultant Certification Program HERE. (More info below)

Comment below or send a DM or email to Meredith at [e-mail] with feedback about this show!

Don't forget to leave a rating or review and share your favorite episodes!
Keywords
Baby-Centered Sleep Certification, sleep consultant, autistic children, autistic children's sleep, gentle and holistic sleep methods, children, adolescents, teens, sleep consultant support, one-on-one coaching, customized approach, not in favor of traditional methods, sleep disorders, milestones, consistency, flexibility, Autism Sleep Solutions, compassion, experienced, and knowledgeable

The Baby-Centered Sleep Consultant Certification Program Launched on May 27th, 2024!
Check out the links below & sign up before June 8th so you don't have to wait until fall 2024.
Learn More About the Baby-Centered Sleep Consultant Certification Program HERE.
Learn about our Baby-Centered Sleep approach, methods and principles, hear from a few of our graduates, and get to know Meredith HERE.

Chapters

1. Challenges and complexities of autistic children's sleep: Meredith discusses the complexities of autistic children's sleep and the importance of seeking expert help, setting the stage for Ashley's expertise. (00:02:10)

2. Ashley's journey with her son's sleep issues: Ashley shares her personal journey of helping her son with autism overcome sleep issues and the challenges of understanding his diagnosis. (00:03:01)

3. Ashley's strict bedtime routine: Ashley emphasizes her serious and structured approach to bedtime routines, highlighting the importance of consistency and predictability for autistic children. (00:07:22)

4. Raising two boys, one with autism: Meredith and Ashley discuss the challenges of raising two young boys, especially with one having autism, and how it affects Ashley's daily workload. (00:09:51)

5. The importance of sleep for autistic children: Ashley emphasizes the significance of sleep for autistic children and her strong motivation to help families with sleep issues. (00:12:06)

6. Ashley's training and approach: Ashley discusses her certifications and independent research, highlighting her focus on gentle and holistic methods tailored to autistic children. (00:13:55)

7. Working with children aged 2 to 18: Ashley expresses her preference for working with children aged 2 to 18 and her experience in working with older kids and teenagers. (00:15:00)

8. Different approach to working with autistic children: Meredith and Ashley discuss the unique and gentle methods used by Ashley compared to traditional approaches in schools and programs for autistic children. (00:15:52)

9. Focusing on Children's Needs: Ashley discusses the importance of considering children's needs and the lack of focus on this in schools and therapies. (00:18:19)

10. Program Structure and Support: Ashley explains the structure of her program, including the assessment, weekly meetings, and unlimited support. (00:19:10)

11. Customization and Parenting Support: The importance of customizing support for each child and assisting parents with parenting, structure, and boundaries is highlighted. (00:20:06)

12. Gentle Approach and Customization: Ashley emphasizes the need for a slow and customized approach, differing from traditional methods used in schools and therapies. (00:21:15)

13. Challenges with Traditional Approaches: Ashley shares her experience with a sleep consultant and the need for a more customized approach for autistic children. (00:22:46)

14. Signs of Autism in Sleep Patterns: Ashley discusses sleep patterns in babies and toddlers that may indicate the need for assessment for autism. (00:24:57)

15. Importance of Consistency and Flexibility: Ashley advises being consistent and flexible in routines and offers encouragement for other sleep consultants. (00:27:04)