I know a lot of people try these things, but if you haven't:

1. Look at your child's sleep patterns. Do they sleep longer going to bed later, or earlier at night? Are they a happier child sleeping in, or waking early? If you can find their sleep pattern, try to cater to it, make time adjustments from there.

2. If they are waking in the middle of the night, try and figure out why. As a parent of a non-verbal child, I finally figured out my son was afraid of the dark. Anytime he opened his eyes and a light wasn't on, he was awake. When I used a night light, he slept through the night.

3. Make sure your child gets plenty of exercise. My best sleep comes after a day at the park.

4. My doctor has suggested to me, as a lot of physicians do, melatonin, an herbal supplement to help them sleep.

5. Establish a bedtime routine. This prepares the child to be okay with going to bed, as Temple Grandin says, "no surprises".

6. Do, and help them do what is expected. As a single parent of 2 ASD children, this is the most difficult. But when I first moved my non-verbal 3 year old from a crib to a bed, I sat outside of his room and every time he got out of bed, I made him go back in the bed. It took me over 2 weeks, but the consistency paid off. I put him to bed and he stays there until he goes to sleep. Also, when he gets up at 4am, I show him the time, make him lay in bed...even if I have to be there too...until 6am. Not the most comfortable or easiest thing, but I'm hoping this pays off too.

(note: especially for non-verbal children, I am flexible with my child, letting him show me what he needs, I pay attention when he's sick, and I don't force issues during these times.)

7. Give yourself a break. Patience is hard. It's all a process. Some of us are luckier than others with children who sleep. Unfortunately for me, I think I have one of each. I hope this helps someone.

We finally figured out that our sons biggest problem at night is wanting the pressure of sleeping next to someone. Benji is 6 and his brother, not on the spectrum is 8. We decided to put a queen size bed in their room so that they could sleep in the same bed. The oldest doesn't mind and it has been weeks since Benji climbed into our bed at 2 in the morning ready to start his day.
It may not be a permanant solution but for a little while, it is working for our family.

My son has several challenges with his health. I don't want to sound like any advertising. But I use Young Living Essential oils. They have no chemicals. I defuse the oils in the air, while he is relaxing in bed. Soothing sound machines that have ocean, beach, waves, rain sound are also relaxing. The oils from Young Living , can also be topical. My son never liked go be touched. But with brushing techniques and putting oils such as Lavender or Thieves, or Valor also help him sleep.

We first used lavender oils in a warm tub but as he was put on medications and as they were upped we used melatonin. David has been on Melatonin for roughly a year now and he loves it. He asks for it at night even though it is optional. He says to us that with out it his body feels like a train out of control on a bumpy ride. I go the the health store to buy it.

Bedtime at the same time every night (so it's "expected") and MELATONIN.