What will I learn?
Throughout this 3-week course (6 hours total), you will gain specialized insights into the unique sleep mechanisms of neurodivergent children:
- How ADHD, Autism, and sensory processing differences impact sleep architecture, Melatonin release, and circadian rhythms.
- Identifying sensory triggers, environmental barriers, and the impact of daytime overstimulation on bedtime.
- Practical strategies to build predictable, low-demand bedtime routines and sensory-friendly sleep spaces.
- Managing nighttime anxiety, racing thoughts, hyperfocus, and frequent night wakings.
- Supporting emotional regulation and family wellbeing while respecting your child’s individual neurotype.

What will I need to take part?
An internet-connected device (laptop, tablet, or smartphone), access to Google Classroom and Gmail, a quiet space to join, and a notebook for personal reflection.

What to expect
A compassionate, neurodiversity-affirming, and non-judgmental space for parents and caregivers. Each 2-hour session combines specialist sleep guidance, real-world case examples, group discussion, and practical tools tailored to unique sensory profiles. Online handouts and resources are shared via Google Classroom. For IT support, visit https://learners.northantsadultlearning.ac.uk/it-tips.

Where can it lead to?
This course helps you create a more calming, supportive home environment. Beyond sleep, it supports your family by helping you:
- Better understand your child's sensory and emotional regulation needs.
- Reduce bedtime conflict, meltdowns, and daily parental stress.
- Strengthen connection, trust, and emotional safety at home.
- Explore further adult learning workshops, such as Sleep for Primary & Secondary School Children or Sleep for Study and Work.

Course eligibility and fees
This adult learning course is available to residents of Northamptonshire who are:

- aged 19 or over on 31st August in the funding year

- living in England, outside a devolved adult skills funding area.

- ordinarily resident in England on the first day of learning.

If you don't meet the above requirements, including some international students or people not ordinarily resident in the UK, you will not be able attend this course.

Asylum seekers may be eligible to attend in some circumstances, including where they have lived in the UK for 6 months or longer while their claim is being considered, or where they receive certain types of local authority support.