Sustainability in Sleep: Why BCBAs Need to Program for the Future of Rest
When it comes to sleep, sustainability is a fickle pickle. In most of our work as BCBAs, once a skill is achieved, maintained, and generalized, it has a high likelihood of sticking. Sure, some learned skills may see occasional dips in performance, but it’s rare to see a well-mastered skill “suddenly” vanish. However, sleep doesn’t quite fit that mold. Unlike other skills, sleep is volatile and incredibly sensitive to environmental factors—making it likely that even hard-earned sleep improvements can drift off-course over time.
This week, we’re diving into why sleep is so uniquely prone to disruption, how these changes affect autistic learners, and, most importantly, what we as BCBAs can do to prepare families for the inevitable twists and turns in the sleep journey.
Why Sleep Is More Fragile Than We’d Like
Constant Evolution Throughout Childhood
Sleep needs and patterns are in a state of constant flux, especially in the early years. In the first year alone, waking windows expand every 2-3 months, stretching the time between naps as infants move closer to a full night’s sleep. These changes continue into childhood, with school-age children experiencing shifts in sleep needs every few years. And when adolescence hits, the body undergoes a significant shift in melatonin secretion, pushing natural sleep times later into the evening. This developmentally-driven evolution is a normal part of life, but it means that sleep strategies must adapt to match these shifts over time. One-size-fits-all sleep routines simply won’t work as children grow.Vulnerability to Common Life Events
Sleep is deeply influenced by environmental and situational factors. Illness, travel, vacations, school schedule changes, moving to a new home, or even exciting family events can disrupt a solid sleep routine. These common variables can easily send sleep patterns off course, especially for autistic learners who may struggle with transitions and sensory sensitivities. For families, understanding that sleep routines are likely to shift—and knowing how to respond—is key to maintaining healthy sleep over the long term.Why Sustainability Goes Beyond the “Consistent Bedtime” Misconception
Sleep sustainability goes beyond the common misconception that "bedtime should be consistent" across childhood (something I discussed in more depth last week). While maintaining a steady routine is beneficial, sustainable sleep means adapting routines over time to match a child’s evolving biological needs, life circumstances, and developmental milestones. In reality, sleep-needs fluctuate significantly across childhood and adolescence; a bedtime that works well for a 4-year-old may be completely inappropriate for a 14-year-old. Sustainability in sleep programming is about providing families with the skills and knowledge to adjust sleep routines as these changes occur, ensuring sleep quality doesn’t deteriorate over time. Unlike the idea of a fixed bedtime, sustainable sleep practices focus on flexibility within a structure, empowering families to respond proactively to disruptions and developmental shifts rather than rigidly adhering to a routine that may no longer meet the learner’s needs.
Preparing Families for the Future of Sleep
So, what does sustainable sleep programming look like? To truly support families, we need to go beyond resolving current sleep issues and instead equip caregivers with the knowledge and tools to navigate future sleep challenges. Here’s how we can ensure sleep sustainability becomes part of every sleep plan.
Educate on Developmental Changes
Explain to caregivers that sleep needs evolve as children grow. Walk them through the expected changes they can anticipate, from expanding waking windows in early childhood to the “sleep phase delay” of adolescence. By helping families understand these shifts, we give them the context needed to adjust routines without alarm or frustration when sleep inevitably goes off track.Anticipate Disruptions and Prepare for Solutions
Rather than focusing solely on immediate sleep interventions, build a toolkit that families can refer to when life events disrupt sleep. For example, offer strategies for adjusting routines after travel, handling illness, or recovering from late nights. These tools give families a sense of control and preparedness when facing disruptions, helping them maintain sleep quality over the long term.Foster Flexibility Within Consistency
Consistency is crucial, but only when it’s adaptable to changing needs. Teach caregivers to recognize when their child’s sleep cues shift and to adjust routines in response. This might mean gradually shifting bedtime or wake times, allowing for variations based on age and current life circumstances. By emphasizing both consistency and flexibility, we help families build routines that can weather the ups and downs of life.
Why Sustainable Sleep Programming Is an Ethical Responsibility
As BCBAs, our responsibility goes beyond fixing an immediate sleep problem. If we simply address a current issue and walk away, we set families up for potential failure down the line. Sleep is one of the few skills that is predictably volatile, and programming without future contingencies is like building a sandcastle at high tide—it might hold up briefly, but it won’t last.
Our ethical duty is to equip families with a deep understanding of how sleep evolves and the skills to manage changes as they come. By preparing families for the future, we empower them to handle sleep disruptions with confidence, ensuring that the learner can benefit from restorative sleep at every stage of development.
Ready to Support Sustainable Sleep?
If you’re interested in learning more about sustainable sleep programming and how to effectively apply these strategies, consider joining The Sleep Collective certification program. This program is designed specifically for BCBAs who want to enhance their expertise in sleep interventions, supporting long-term success for the families they serve.
