Bedroom Ideas for Neurodivergent Children

Managing sleep in neurodivergent children can be difficult, but with the right routine and bedroom environment, every child can enjoy their sleep. Humans come in all shapes and sizes. Every one of us is different. And beautifully so.Our differences extend to our brains, where we’re all wired in an infinite number of ways.In most children, that wiring is typical – which just means that, while still totally unique, they present behaviours that are expected, or typical for their stage of development.

Neurodivergent children may present only some of those behaviours – or all of them and more. They might have mixtures of different traits from a handful of known “disorders”. They might have invisible disabilities, mild and often masked symptoms, or anything in between.

When it comes to grey matter, there’s no black and white.

Typical, a typical, neurodivergent, or otherwise, every single child is different. What matters i show they experience the world and the relationships they have within it. In neurodivergent children, these experiences can often be very different.

Some disorders, like ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and ASD (autism spectrum disorder) are more prominent, and diagnoses are on the rise.

Managing sleep in children with ADHD and ASD can be difficult, but with the right routine and bedroom environment, every child can enjoy their sleep.

Let’s look at some brilliant bedroom ideas for neurodiverse children.

A bedroom for a child with ADHD

Children with ADHD are loyal, have a profound sense of justice, are incredibly creative – and they are completely unstoppable when they’re engaged.

But they can also commonly show signs of distraction and disorganisation, forgetfulness, and impulsiveness – which usually results in a messy bedroom, where sleep becomes too difficult.

It makes morning routines more difficult, too. Whole families can get caught up hunting down lost school books or uniforms in an all-too-common morning rush.

The key to a happy, sleepy bedroom for a child with ADHD?

Simplicity.

Simplify

All the mess caused by moving from toy to toy can impact mood, frustration, and anxiety. To help calm those feelings, give objects a place everywhere in the home, not just in their bedroom.

Being spoiled for choice can be overwhelming, so try your best to simplify.

Declutter and store away anything that’s not needed to hand. Prioritise favourite toys, but only keep a handful out in their room at a time. Store away others and rotate them every now and then to keep their interest.

Good storage is essential, with compartments to organise things. You don’t have to go totally sterile – you just need to get back to basics and remove distractions at bedtime.

In contrast to the apparently chaotic behaviours that can be displayed, having a structured organisational method can actually help kids with ADHD to thrive and alleviate their more challenging behaviours.

It’s kind of important to lead by example, here – which can be hard if one or both parent shave similar traits.

Try to do it together and start to form those habits in tune with your child.

Decorate for calm

A relaxing bedroom for ADHD is fairly simple to achieve. Usually, storage will do most of the work. But once you’ve decluttered, simplified and organised, it’s time to look at decorating.

Muted blues and greys, as well as earthy brown and green colours, can help with overstimulation at bedtime. Try to keep things soft and calm, in both colour and texture.

Limit the artwork and decorations to a few soothing pieces, or create a calming bedroom theme.

If possible, don’t put a desk in their bedroom. To most ADHD minds, a desk equals activity. If there’s nowhere else for a desk, make sure it’s tidied up every night before bed.

Autism bedroom ideas

ASD is just as complex and varied as ADHD, but there are some common difficulties among children with ASD when it comes to sleep.

Up to 80% of autistic preschool children have sleep difficulties, which are mainly linked to sensory issues. Hypersensitivity to light, sound or touch can make it really hard for children on the autistic spectrum to fall asleep and stay in bed.

A lack of sleep can make the features of autism appear worse–things like repetitive behaviours and social anxiety.

This can turn into a vicious cycle, as one builds up the other. So how can you help break the cycle?

Well, most of the time, good storage and calm in a bedroom will help a child with ASD as much as a child with ADHD, so that’s a start.

Then, you can move on to specific problem areas.

Bedding

Texture and touch are common sensory triggers for children with ASD. One of the most common problems comes from lumpy socks, which can be particularly distressing and uncomfortable–and that’s why seamless socks are so popular with ASD people.

The texture of pyjamas and bedding is important for the same reason. Weighted blankets and duvets give a sensation of substance, where lighter ones can feel annoying or even evoke feelings of disgust–an almost-tickly sensation that gnaws at your skin, like having creepy-crawlies on you.

Make sure you have plenty of smooth, bobble-free bed sheets made of pure cotton.

Good quality, breathable cotton bedding will ensure maximum comfort, even with a thick and heavy duvet.

Light

Sensory stimulation and processing are different for children with ASD, and something as simple as lighting can make some children feel overwhelmed. This can come down to details like the type of light bulb and the colour of the light it puts out.

In general, aim for softer lighting in bedrooms–from lamps rather than overhead lighting. Minimise reflective surfaces that can cause glare, and if you’re using a nightlight, evidence suggests that red hues are the best.

And when days are longer in the summer, blackout blinds or curtains are essential bedroom equipment. If light leaks through the edges, you might want to consider covering the window with blackout material.

Sound

This one’s hard to beat, because when the kids go to bed, adult life usually begins!

Staying silent isn’t easy. Some children with ASD might actually prefer to sleep with ear plugs or noise-cancelling headphones. Some might absolutely hate the sensation of them while trying to sleep.

There might be a compromise, or a work around; like limiting your post-bedtime activities or maybe even swapping your kids’ bedrooms around if one stays up later. Either way, it’s a tough nut to crack–but you could look into soundproofing for your child’s bedroom, as an extreme permanent solution.

On the flip side, some kids can’t sleep without sound. The noise of a fan, the ticking of a clock, the purring of a cat–these are comforting, reassuring, constant and dependable sounds that quiet a chattering mind.

Want to learn more about overcoming bedtime battles with neurodivergent kids?