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MidnightDragoon
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04 Apr 2012, 10:49 am

on how to keep awake during school.
My superintendent recently banned bringing any outside food or drinks, including coffee, (with the minor exceptions of birthdays and stuff like that) to class and making it mandatory to get them from the vending machines. I don't do any sodas, so my choices there are nil. I try getting enough sleep at night, with mixed results (noisy neighbors don't help at all). I'm pretty much having no luck keeping awake during school hours (and I'm also finding myself drifting off to sleep way too often nowadays). I kind of need some advice from others who have Asperger's that have been through this experience before on how I can keep awake.

I apologize if I sound rant-ish here, I had a depressive meltdown last night (I'll save that rant for the rant board) and am notorious for being irritable and easily agitated when exhausted.



Saxgrrrl
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08 Apr 2012, 8:36 pm

I've been having trouble sleeping myself. First of all, set a bedtime for yourself and follow it strictly whenever possible, routines, you know. Second, get up at the same time every day, sleeping in only on rare occasions. This should help reset your internal clock.
As for staying awake in school, try sitting up straight instead of slouching or making yourself comfortable when you feel like you're drowsing off.
Naps are good for you too. I take about an hour nap in the afternoons(I cheat :D I cuddle up with my baby brother, and then he falls asleep, then I can sleep). There have been studies saying that 20 minute naps are best, but it seems difficult to get just 20 minutes.
Do eat in the mornings before school, lots of protein to wake up. Don't carb up at lunch.
Also, limit computer time, because I've noticed that when I spend the most time on the computer, I sleep the least.
Hope you get better.



DogsWithoutHorses
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09 Apr 2012, 12:44 pm

Do you have an official diagnoses? Do you go to public school? If so great! You're entitled to accommodation. Go to your doctor explain your sleep/fatigue issues (who knows, maybe your doc can fix you up so you won't need the caffeine) they should be able to write a note to your school explaining that in order to maintain functioning during the day, which is necessary for your education you need access to caffeine that is not soda.
Your school will probably be difficult but if you build a good case they don't really have a choice. They can't enforce a rule if it's preventing you from accessing your education.

It would probably be easier to work on getting better more consistent sleep (which will come with extra health benefits) but whenever possible, I like to 'fight the power' as it were.



MidnightDragoon
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09 Apr 2012, 1:19 pm

@Saxgrrrl:
I've mostly tried doing that, but, with the tons of stuff changing where I am at and my grandmother re-building the house I stay in (added with the almost constant family-drama in that household), I rarely can get a wink of sleep anymore. It's usually because there's a huge amount of noise when I'm trying to sleep that I wind up being awake almost all night. (I usually intend to go to bed within the range of 8:00-10:00 at night)

@DogsWithoutHorses:
Yes, I do have an official diagnosis (was diagnosed 10 years ago) and I go to a public school. I may have to try to see one of the local doctors. My mother thinks it's boredom during school, but I'm not too sure if that's really the case. In the case of a doctor's note for caffeine other than soda: I'm not too sure if I need on, due to my insane grandmother (trust me, once she goes to the school over something, all hell breaks loose).

On a side note: My mother was wondering if Melatonin would work to help me sleep better at night.



Saxgrrrl
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09 Apr 2012, 2:09 pm

I don't think boredom during school makes you fall asleep. Like the only time I had difficulty staying awake in classes were in my drivers ed class and biology class, which were both scheduled for 3 or 4 in the afternoon, and I personally find biology interesting. When I get bored, I fidget, don't fall asleep.

As for melatonin, it looks like it's the best sleep drug you could use. I think sleep drugs are a bit iffy though. My mom's an ER doc, and so I hear lots of stories. There was a sleep drug that a lot of moms used to get kids to sleep at night, and it became addictive to the point where the child could not go to sleep with out it. It was physically impossible for them to fall asleep. Be careful and definitely speak with a doctor before starting medication.



MidnightDragoon
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09 Apr 2012, 2:26 pm

I see. I am usually able to make it through the first two classes of mine (Music Appreciation and Web Design) without any trouble, but once it gets to third hour (Advanced Math) and onwards, I start nodding off in class (tried to fidget, walk around, and other things to fight off sleep without spooking my classmates to almost no avail). Most of my classes are interesting to me, but I keep wanting to doze off during class (and the last thing I need is to get a detention for sleeping in class).