The Autism/Aspergers Connection

People on the Autism - Aspergers spectrum tend to respond well to external organization and structure, but their intense sensitivity to their external surroundings doesn't stop there. Modifying the surroundings to support a strong melatonin and cortisol rhythm can help significantly not just with functioning and cognition but also with normalizing the 'day' and 'night'.

What can I do?

  • Spend the hour before bed on low light, low noise, low demand activities
  • Turn off wireless equipment
  • Unplug electrical equipment
  • Keep the bedroom dark - using red light where necessary
  • Avoid penetrating chemicals in personal care products
  • Eliminate noise entry and transfer between hard surfaces
  • For more suggestions and a better understanding of how the body sees its surroundings and the impact those surroundings can have, read 'Sleep-Powered Wellness: Better Bedrooms for Turbocharged Zzzz's' by Angela Hobbs   

 Recommended reading - Books 

The Sleep-Powered Wellness Workbook: Better Bedrooms for Better Sleep, by Angela Hobbs
Hobbs guides the reader through the 24 hour hormone rhythm revealing the many ways that a person's surroundings can be used to support it. A workbook packed with simple, inexpensive suggestions for exploiting our surroundings to support our most environmentally sensitive hormones.

Sleep-Powered Wellness: Better Bedrooms for Turbocharged Zzzz's, by Angela Hobbs
Hobbs discusses the impact that noise, wireless, light, electricity, chemicals and air pollutants can have on the hormones responsible for sleep and alertness, and ultimately on many common symptoms of ill health.

1001 Great Ideas for Teaching and Raising Childern with Autism or Aperger's by Ellen Notbohm
Notbohm offers a comprehensive selection of suggestions for sensory integration, behaviour modifications and almost everything that goes along with everyday living 

Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew by Ellen Notbohm
Notbohm helps parents explore their own beliefs and work within their child's sensory structure to facilitate their development into functional adults.

Angela Hobbs is a building biologist who specializes in identifying and remediating the location-specific factors that contribute to sleep and health issues. For 10 years she has been sharing her knowledge through corporate and private workshops, consultations and coaching.

She's lived and worked in Tanzania, Germany, Sweden, England, Quebec, The High Arctic, Ontario, Alberta, Kansas and Maine, leaving her with a personal experienice of a wide range of living and working environments.

She is the author of several books and workbook-based programs including 'Sleep-Powered Wellness', 'The Sick House Survival Guide', and 'The Guided Journey' Workbook series.

Contact Angela