Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Muslimah Next Door

Home
Muslim
The Elusive Hunt for Sleep

The Elusive Hunt for Sleep

Last updated on: April 15, 2017 at 10:02 pm by Dilshad Ali

The Elusive Hunt for Sleep 2017-04-15T22:02:18-04:00 Dilshad Ali

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

D, chilling on the sofa before bedtime.

This is Day 15 of the Ali Family #AutismTruths – April 15, 2017.

Dear Friends,

What do you say? Can I skip out on Day 15 of this month – hump day and all? I’m kind of “autism awarenessed/actioned” out today. Last night we had some family come to town to meet us and my sister-in-law’s family. My SiL hosted, and with so many people coming and it turning into a late evening, the husband and I decided that one of us would stay home with D.

So, I did.

When he looked proficiently sleepy enough, I ushered him to bed and then came downstairs. But, soon enough I could hear the screaming and thrashing from his room. So, I went in to sit with him.

It’s ok, D, I told him.

There was nothing I could do but sit there in his room and pray that what he needed to regain his calm was the presence of his mother in the room with him.

And so, soon enough, he slept.

But when the family returned from the late-night dinner party and settled into bed well past midnight, and when I settled myself for sleep, I heard his sounds.

D was up, and would be so for the rest of the night.

One of our longest battles for D has been for his night-time sleep. This story is not unique at all to us – it is the lament of more autism families and autistic individuals then I can count. Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep. Children and teens wandering off, eloping in the night while their loved ones struggle to keep up and stay awake to help keep things safe.

On Day 15 of our family’s #AutismTruths, I wave the white flag in the struggle for D to get a good night’s sleep. We have many supports, sensory and otherwise, in place to help him achieve restful slumber. After years of sleep struggles, we came upon a set of supports that seemed to work. And, when those supports would fail, we would find another set. And another.

Now he’s nearly 17, virtually an adult, and the struggle is just as real as ever.

So, after nearly 24 hours of wakefulness, D is in bed, and my fingers are crossed for sleep.

And, like the advice we give to new mothers, I’m going to try and sleep while he does.

So, that’s all for tonight. I leave you with the words my mother-in-law used to sing to D to soothe him from strife to sleep as a baby and a toddler, words I still sing to him now:

Hasbi rabbi Jallallah (Sufficient is for me, my Rabb. Allah is great.)

Ma fi qalbi, Ghairullah (There is none in my heart besides Allah.)

Noor Muhammad Sallallah. (The light of Muhammad (blessings upon him))

Haqq La ilaha illallah. (Truth, there is none worthy of worship but Allah.)

Yours,

Dilshad

Autism Awareness Month 2017

#autismtruths

Ali Family Autism Truths

autism

sleep

sleep issues. lullaby

Previous Post

April 14, 2017

Dear Future Self - What Is Our Family's Autism Future?

Next Post

April 16, 2017 He Knew

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category A Global Voice for Autism Autism Awareness Month 2016 Autism Awareness Month 2017 Autism Interlude Hajj and Eid ul Adha Jenin Autism Project Ramadan Three Questions Uncategorized WISE Global Conference

Select a Month November 2018 October 2018 August 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does Paul tell Timothy to fan into flame?

Select your answer to see how you score.

His faith His zeal The Holy Spirit The gift of God