Autistic Advocacy: Autistic Sleep Problems

In this episode of Autistic Advocacy, Matt and Angela tackle one of the most overlooked yet critical topics in autistic life: sleep difficulties. From sensory sensitivities to delayed sleep phases, they explore why rest is often elusive for autistic people—and what can be done to reclaim it.

🎧 What You’ll Learn

The scope of the issue – Why sleep disorders in autistic people are both under-researched and extremely common, including sleep apnea, insomnia, hypersomnia, and delayed sleep phase onset.

Sensory and physical factors – How sensory sensitivities, interoception differences, and muscle tone variations can disrupt sleep quality and contribute to long-term autistic burnout.

Daily life mismatch – Why falling asleep, staying asleep, and waking up are uniquely challenging in a neurotypical-scheduled world with early start times.

Transition trouble – How the autistic difficulty with transitions impacts both bedtime and morning routines.

Sleep as survival – Understanding that sleep isn’t optional—poor rest directly impacts physical health, immune function, and emotional resilience.

Practical strategies – Ways to support autistic sleep needs:

• Embrace a low-demand lifestyle
• Honour your natural sleep-wake cycle
• Reduce night-time sensory overwhelm
• Create autism-friendly routines that invite rest rather than force sleep

Related Episodes:

Autism Affirming Social Skills

Aging and Executive Function

Moving Is An Autistic Hell

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