What should I do about my 5 year old son having night terrors every night?
493794
Just be there for him. The most important thing is for him to be comforted afterwards. There is nothing psychologically wrong with, it's perfectly normal and more common than most people realize. Eventually he will grow out of it or learn to be more secure and deal with it himself.
1169050
epilepsy it is not,  that represents itself as a non-bodily action problem.  You said he was up, and pulling things off the dresser.  But he basically couldn't hear you nor recognize you or our son.  this was more a REM activity.  Like the other person said,  he sleepwalked.  But something triggered it.  get him to see your family doctor so he/she can refer your husband to a neurologist.
44327
Pray for him while you are alone. Do not over-react. Five years old is pretty young. Best to ask him why. It may be that he likes their toys or they have more fun in some ways. Reassure him that God made him a boy for a very important reason. Ask him what that purpose may be? Ask him in such a way as, "Oh really?" or "I see." If he gets a highly emotional reaction from you, he will continue to use it to push your buttons and get the attention he craves.\nI'd walk out the door and yell out...\n"Son, I'm going to an automobile/train museum, want to come along?"
206430
My child is three, and autistic, and has sleep issues, too. I use products from Melaleuca, the one that helps him has chamomile, so you could try that. You can buy chamomile tea at any store. If he doesn't like the taste of it, make it up then mix it with juice, or whatever you give him to drink. Just don't let him see you do it. What I use helps him sleep, but doesn't knock him out, I even give it to him during the day to help calm his tantruming.
382212
I think you need to have some counseling.  Leave your son alone and seek help for yourself.
24284
Yes, of course! Just make sure he doesn't have caffeine or close to bed, maybe try cutting out bedtime snacks? Or maybe something like carrot sticks or something unfun, lol. Also, make sure he knows it's bedtime, don't just allow him as well as the house to run in full gear right up until bedtime, or else he won't sleep. Maybe try bedtime stories or something that let's him know, 'it's bedtime, it's time to relax and go to sleep'.
553706
my 18 year old son is a very heavy sleeper. he does not hear alarms when he is sleeping. we have very good relationship and he loves me very much. he as even seen doctors about this problem. i have to wake him for work. during this process many times he will hit at me and call me bad names. every day he gives me a hug and tells me he loves me. i know his waking behavoir causes him bad feelings and i know he does not know what he is doing when he does those things. the state of mind during the waking process is an in between place. if you don't think you will put yourself in danger fake a snooze sometime, if only for peace of mind.
127075
Listen to him more and convince him that he does not need friends, seriously, or convince him that everybody are his friends. BTW how old is your son? I know about this kind of thing cause I suffered this before.\n\nContact: rateofspeed@hotmail.com
176782
Dreams are often a reflection of a child's inner fears. Perhaps she fears that the family will break up because of some show she watched - have you argued with your spouse within hearing range of your child?\nSome children are ultra sensitive to even a little bit of argument between their parents. The best way is to make a big show of affection between your spouse in front of her and give her lots of reassurance. Also, you can buy one of those cheery, cute nightlights of rotating animals and place them by her bedside.\nLeave the door a little open so she can call for you. If you can, read her a cheerful, happy bedtime story of happy families and so on (maybe using animals as a context? Children love animals), and stroke her hair till she falls asleep.\nBe ever ready to rush to her bedside if she continues having these nightmares.\n\nIf she's still having these nightmares, maybe you should bring her to a psychologist specialising in child psychology?
318161
you have to understand that insomnia is a mental disorder. there are few treatments that can help him. my recommendation is to take him to a doctor and give him prescription sleep aids, like lunesta. they usually work real well.
489295
Tell him the truth, he can handle it and doesnt need fables to cope like religious wackos do. Also, talk to him normal, kids love that and respond well to it. But, Im preaching to the choir, I know.\n\nHave fun...dont forget the cotton candy and to enjoy every minute with your son.
536122
You really need to send him to a good psychiatrist. This is something that is really dangerous. If he gets too crazy, he might turn out like one of those kids who kills people at school or their parents.
1022953
Just let her talk about it. Accept everything she says about the incident as valid & acknowledge her point of view. Let her talk about her feelings of fear & allow her to repeat herself as often as she wants. Bedtime will seem like a trial for a while, but by telling you, she is putting all her feelings of fear into a safe place so she can relax & sleep. Let her enjoy talking to you at bedtime. Time will come when she no longer needs to talk as she settles down to sleep. In years to come you & she will be glad you had those regular quality times together....
899408
I have a 10 yr old autistic son.  Although I haven't had a lot of trouble getting him to sleep at night there have been some times.  If your niece(?) does not sleep at night does she sleep during the day?  Try to get her switched around.  Look at what maybe stimulating her and keeping her from calming down.  Try different calming activities.  Does she look at books, listen to music, like to have her back rubbed?  Turn the lights low.  \n\nYou may need to find an autism specialist in your area for more help.  \n\nHang in there.  \nDoes your nieces family get any help services, like respite care? They may want to go to their county human services and check on this. It would give them a break and they would know she is being well cared for.
538555
get him another 2 year old boy and make them sleep together..thats how he's gonna end up when he grows up anyways
1064424
It could be that your son is afraid you are going to leave him too as he seems to be seeing you in a ghost-like state. Or he may want to talk to you about things that happened to him or how much he misses his father, even though Dad was bad, kids don't understand that,but he is afraid you won't listen to him or believe him.\n Keep the communication lines open and honest with your son and let him know that there is NOTHING he can say to you or tell you that will make you leave him or love him less.\nYour therapist may be able to decipher this better than a bunch of on-line psychiatrists though.\nGood Luck, my thoughts are with you.
1125506
Here's a wonderful website with some great ideas to try to get your Autistic child into a bedtime routine that he won't resist so strongly:\n\nhttp://groups.msn.com/TheAutismHomePage/sleep.msnw\n\nhttp://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=367&a=3376\n\nBe patient, follow the set routine you establish after reading the above sites and talking with the family about what will work for you as a team, and stay strong!