try melatonin. At 4 my son was taking 3mg about 1/2 hour before bed. It would calm him and make him sleepy almost immediately. He's almost 14 now and will take 10mg if he's feeling like he won't be able to fall asleep. At this point, it no longer makes him sleepy but it still calms him. It's something your body produces naturally but some people don't produce enough. It's non-prescription, non habit forming and can be bought anywhere that sells vitamins. If you're uncomfortable, ask you doctor. The first night i gave it to him, i felt horrible for "drugging" my son and i sat up all night to make sure he was still breathing. I thought i was going to have to make a trip to the ER. Guess i should have taken some myself!

Since sleep is a very important part of our child being able to do school and homework, we have had him take melatonin for years. It really helps. Also the last half hour before bed should be a "quiet" time. Reading stories, listening to soft music, etc helps the melatonin do its job better. I also told my son that if he gave me any trouble about getting to bed, that the next day his favorite activity would be curtailed. It works most of the time if you follow through every time. Consistency for these kids is essential. Sometimes we think just because our kids have problems that they can't be held accountable for their actions. However, It amazes me how well behaved my son can be if he wants something. This tells me he CAN do more than I previously thought. Hang in there, my son is now going to be 16 and he is a wonderful,sweet young man who has overcome more than I ever anticipated.

We started a sleep routine with a picture schedule. I actually took pics of my son doing the things in the routine. Bath, lotion, pj's, snack, and book. we put them on a laminated schedule with velcro and he could take the pics and put them on the back when he did each one. He loves to read so I made this part last about 20 minutes. sometimes he wanted to snuggle with his book. I would then turn out the lights and snuggle with him. I never said time to get ready for bed we would just get the schedule out and start going down the list. We also purchased Its Sleepy Time A Bed Time Story. A Cd to listen to help him sleep and put it on repeat. Bed time is not to bad now. We don't have to do the picture schedule any more but the routine is still there. I know a lot of people use melatonin and it was recommened to us but I just could not do it. I don't like giving my son medication so I was going to try everything else first. We darkened his room. We don't listen to the cd any more but we have a fan going to help with noise and my son has a spedial blanket which he likes to be wrapped up in. If he is having a tough night falling asleep I lay with him for as long as he needs. Those night are few and far between. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any further questions. I have beed there with the sleep issure. God Bless

I am not sure if your son is in OT or not. My son also didn't like bedtime so we did a few things at least 30 minutes before bed. Turn off the TV, cartoons, laptop, IPad, computer or any other video devise that he may be playing with. Try to make sure the surroundings around him are quiet and calm. Play with him and try to find an activity that is calming. We also have incorporated the Wilbarger Brushing Protocol each night. If you google it you will find lots of information about it and also youtube demonstrations on how to do it. I purchased the "brush" from a store online that sold lots of sensory products. He loves it! It relaxes him to the point where he has fallen asleep on the floor before we have finished. It only takes a few minutes and it may relax your son to the point where he does not fight you when it comes time for bed. Good luck!

Try to keep things calm before bed, no stimulating shows of people winding him up. If he does get worked up, everyone else needs to stay totally calm (I know it incredibly hard). If you do absolutely need to physically restrain him, please please find someone who can teach you how to do it safely. Most likely your pediatrician or school district can point you in the right direction. I l know you would never intentionally hurt your child but its too easy to have things happen when the kid is flailing and your struggling with them. You could very conceivably wind up with child abuse charges even though no harm was meant.
I don't mean to sound over dramatic but you hear horror stories, both of accidentally injured children and parents who found themselves under investigation or worse because someone sees bruising and think the child is in danger.
I once found terrible bruises in my child's armpits after one of his trained therapists repeated sat him up by pulling him up by the armpits after flopping on the ground. I was there, I saw it happen and had no idea he would wind up bruised like that.