Longer nights don't always mean more sleep...

I’ve always loved the shorter days of autumn and winter. For me, it’s a chance to close the curtains and feel like I’m in my own cozy world—almost like hibernating! But even with that cozy feeling, sleep can actually get harder during winter. Many people assume darker days make sleep easier, but that’s not always true for autistic people.

The reason is that natural light helps keep our sleep cycles on track. Shorter days mean we get less sunlight, which can affect melatonin—the hormone that helps us sleep. Even if your child takes melatonin supplements, their body might still produce less melatonin naturally because of the lack of light.

Also, with more darkness, it can feel like nighttime comes on suddenly, which might cause confusion or anxiety for some autistic children. This change can make nighttime feel more unsettling or even stressful.

Encouraging your child to spend time outside in daylight can help boost their natural melatonin levels. It’s also important for teachers and caregivers to know about these challenges, so they can support your child if lack of sleep affects their behavior or focus during daily activities.