How much sleep does an autistic child need?

Wednesday, 19 November 2025

Working out how much sleep an autistic child really needs can feel impossible at times. One night they’re still wide awake when you’re desperate for bed, the next they’re sleeping in much later than they usually do - and you’re left feeling anxious, wondering what’s normal, what’s not, and whether you should seek professional help.

The short answer is: autistic children typically need the same amount of sleep as other children their age. The issue that plenty of parents face is the challenges they encounter when trying to reach these healthy levels, due to things like sensory sensitivities, anxiety, or differences in melatonin production.

In this article, we’ll break down the typical sleep needs for different ages, look at why autistic children often find it harder to hit those targets, and share when it might be worth reaching out for extra support.

How much sleep do children need by age?
Why autistic children may sleep less than they need
What lack of sleep may look like day to day
Can autistic children sleep too much?
What’s next?

How much sleep do children need by age?

Every child is different, and sleep needs change in all children as they grow. As established, autistic children don’t usually need more or less than their peers, the difficulty is often in actually getting the correct amount of sleep.

Here are some general sleep ranges you should be aiming for:

Toddlers (one–three years): usually need around 12–14 hours across the day. Which includes naps.
School-age children (four–twelve years): do best with about 10–11 hours at night.
Teenagers (thirteen–eighteen years): need around 8–10 hours, though late nights and early mornings can make that tough. And at this age, it does tend to vary heavily due to changes in hormones.

If your child is regularly getting far less, or far more, than these amounts, it’s worth paying attention. An odd rough night here and there is nothing to worry about, all children have them - it’s the ongoing pattern that tells you the most about whether sleep is a problem and more serious actions need to be taking place, like seeking a professional.

Why autistic children may sleep less than they need

Even with a solid bedtime routine, many autistic children still struggle to get the rest they need. It’s not that they need less sleep than other kids - it’s that certain things can make dropping off and staying asleep much harder.

Body clock differences

The hormone that signals it’s time to sleep, melatonin, might kick in later than usual or in smaller amounts. This can leave children lying awake long after lights out.

This often looks like a child who can’t switch off, even when the lights are out and everyone else is asleep. The longer bedtime drags on, the more frustrated they can feel - which can actually make it even harder for them to nod off.

Sensory sensitivities

A faint light, the hum of a radiator, or the feel of certain bedding can be enough to keep their brains switched on when you’re hoping they’ll be winding down.

This often leads to bedtime resistance (“I can’t sleep here”), frequent wake-ups, or needing things to be arranged just right before they’ll even try to fall asleep.

Anxiety and racing thoughts

Worries or an overactive mind can make it impossible to settle, even when they’re clearly worn out.

This can mean long stretches of reassurance or answering endless questions at night.

Trouble self-soothing

Once awake, some children find it especially hard to calm themselves enough to get back to sleep, so what might be a quick wake-up for another child can stretch into hours.

When a child struggles to self-soothe, a quick wake-up (if they manage to get to sleep at all) can easily turn into hours of wakefulness.

Other conditions

ADHD, epilepsy, or tummy discomfort can all make sleep even more unpredictable.

Parents may notice restless sleep, frequent waking, or their child seeming unusually tired during the day despite “sleeping through.” These patterns are worth tracking in a diary, as they can help doctors pinpoint what’s going on.

What lack of sleep may look like day to day

When autistic children don’t get enough rest, the effects can show up quickly and often feel more intense than in other children. A poor night’s sleep may look like:

More frequent meltdowns or irritability
Bursts of hyperactivity or restlessness
Struggling to focus or concentrate at school
Forgetfulness or difficulty holding onto new information
Family routines being thrown off balance
An increase in self-regulatory behaviour
Sensory sensitivities may appear worse
An increased need for routine and control over their environment

Can autistic children sleep too much?

Yes, and oversleeping can happen for different reasons. Some children are fatigued from managing sensory input and social requests during the day. Some may be more lethargic from medication, or from medical illnesses such as anaemia, thyroid disease, or depression.

How it looks day-to-day: Children may be waking up sluggish, yawning during the mornings, or finding themselves tired at school despite being in bed for hours. On the outside they look like they’re “sleeping well,” but they’re not really gaining the benefit as a parent you would expect.

What’s next?

The next step is finding ways to make bedtime a little easier. A few simple tweaks can go a long way:

Stick to a routine
Keep a sleep diary
Create a calm space

If you’ve tried these and your child is still finding sleep difficult - or you’re worried it’s having a knock-on effect on daily life - it could be time to get extra support for your child.

You can request a free, confidential call back with one of our trained assistant psychologists. We’ll listen, talk through your concerns, and help you find the right support for your child - and for you.