Over-the-counter melatonin supplements may help treat sleep problems in children with autism, a small U.S. study shows. The study included 12 children, aged 2 to 15 years, with autism spectrum disorder, fragile X syndrome (FXS), or both. The participants were randomly selected to take melatonin or a placebo for two weeks. After they completed the first two weeks of the study, the children were switched over to the alternate treatment for another two weeks. Taking the melatonin increased sleep duration by 21 minutes, shortened sleep-onset latency by 28 minutes, and reduced sleep-onset time by 42 minutes, compared to the placebo. The findings were published in the April 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
Bonnie - while a very small study, it could be very helpful to parents and their children that have autism. I would recommend that they be tested for their melatonin levels before taking it, however.
Monday, April 20, 2009
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we had lots of kid in my sons autistic class that were taking melatonin! it REALLY helped!
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