Kelly-anne Riley-Smith: Autism & Anxiety Sleep Specialist

Kelly-anne Riley-Smith: Autism & Anxiety Sleep Specialist https://autismsleepsuccess.com/connect-with-me As amazing as it is, being a parent can be hard! My family life is far from 'normal' - whatever that is?!

Helping parents of autistic children with sleeping difficulties to create calm, confident sleep routines so they can enjoy restful nights without overwhelm or endless battles. But when you are the parent of a neurodivergent child, all those parental challenges along with every-day goals are magnified. I have 4 children, all of whom are neurodivergent - Autism, ADHD, Epilepsy, but with both myself

and my husband also being neurodivergent ............lets just say, I don't think our 'days of diagnosis' are over just yet! Over the past 22 years of being a parent I have laughed, loved, cried and felt so much pride to the point of bursting; I have suffered clinical depression, lost friends and family and fought for services until I thought I had nothing left to give. But as the song goes, "I'm still standing"! One thing I have learned along my journey, which is SO easily overlooked, is the importance of self care, because you 'can't pour from an empty cup'! You need to be at your best, so you can give your best to those who really need you. You are the glue that holds everything together, please don't fall apart

To connect with other parents and families with autistic children, gain tips, advice and extremely supportive friends (who genuinely 'get it') alongside advice, hear from guest speakers and make use of our wonderful resources and products that really do help, then come on over and join my parent support group. I'd love to see you over there and really get to know you and your wonderful family x

https://www.facebook.com/groups/autismandparentsupport





It's 3am. You're awake. Again. And so is your childIf your autistic child fights sleep, wakes at 3am wide awake and read...
31/08/2026

It's 3am. You're awake. Again. And so is your child

If your autistic child fights sleep, wakes at 3am wide awake and ready to party, or can only drift off if you're lying next to them holding their hand... you are not doing it wrong. And you are definitely not alone.

Most sleep advice was never built for our kids. "Just pop them back in bed" and "let them cry it out" don't work when your child's nervous system is wired differently.

So you're left exhausted, running on fumes, and quietly wondering if it will ever change.

It can. And it doesn't mean tears, controlled crying, or fighting who your child is.

Join me for my FREE masterclass:

Why Won't My Autistic Child Sleep (And What Actually Works) on 23rd September

I'll walk you through the real reasons autistic children struggle with sleep, and the autism-affirming approach that actually gets results, without breaking the trust you've worked so hard to build.

Comment SLEEP below and I'll send you the sign-up link

26/08/2026

It’s 3am. You’re awake. Again. And so is your child

If your autistic child fights sleep, wakes at 3am wide awake and ready to party, or can only drift off if you’re lying next to them holding their hand… you are not doing it wrong. And you are definitely not alone.

Most sleep advice was never built for our kids. “Just pop them back in bed” and “let them cry it out” don’t work when your child’s nervous system is wired differently. So you’re left exhausted, running on fumes, and quietly wondering if it will ever change.

It can. And it doesn’t mean tears, controlled crying, or fighting who your child is.

Join me for my FREE masterclass:
Why Won’t My Autistic Child Sleep (And What Actually Works) on 23rd September

I’ll walk you through the real reasons autistic children struggle with sleep, and the autism-affirming approach that actually gets results, without breaking the trust you’ve worked so hard to build.

Comment SLEEP below and I’ll send you the sign-up link

22/08/2026

It’s never simply a ‘day out’… after setting off over an hour later than planned, turning back for the meds we left - we are finally on the way for a DAY out!

When you have a neurodivergent family a day out isn’t as simple as as it might sound. Ensuring we have everything with us to meet everyone’s needs as best as possible realistically looks like we are off on a 2 week holiday 🤪 and you can guarantee I’ll have forgotten something.

What do you have to take with you when you go out as a family?

31/07/2026

Stop following generic advice and expecting it to work!

Your child needs a solution that’s going to work for them, their bodies, their brains and their family too - book in for one of my FREE sleep support sessions and let’s get you all some better nights sleep.

Booking link is in my bio 👍🏻

30/07/2026

Want something that is actually going to work and help your autistic child get some sleep?

Then you need to start looking at sleep solutions that work WITH their neurodivergence and not against it.

Follow me for tips and advice that I can guarantee will make a positive difference

23/07/2026

Consistency is the scaffolding, not the foundation. The foundation is understanding why sleep is hard for this particular child.

Follow for advice that starts with understanding, not blame

17/07/2026

People sometimes ask me what “autism-affirming” means. It means this. My son doesn’t communicate with speech, but he communicates constantly.

When I move my hand, he puts it straight back on his leg. No words needed. Message received, sweetheart.

Presume competence. Listen with more than your ears. And never let anyone tell you a child who doesn’t speak has nothing to say.

I know every parent reading this has their own version of the hand-on-the-leg moment. The lean-in. The certain look. The way they bring you the exact right thing. Drop yours in the comments, I read every single one, and honestly, these are my favourite conversations on the internet 😍

16/07/2026

Generic sleep advice assumes a child who winds down like clockwork. Many autistic children simply don’t, and that’s not a parenting failure it’s a starting point.

I’m Kelly-anne, certified autism and anxiety sleep specialist (and parent carer myself). Follow me for sleep help that starts with your actual child

10/07/2026

When when we get a rare moment to ourselves, the sleep worry travels with us. Because when your autistic child doesn’t sleep, nobody does and it takes over everything.

Here’s what I want you to know: it doesn’t have to be this way. Not because your child needs to “learn to sleep,” but because once we understand what’s really going on with sensory needs, anxiety, body clock differences we can actually change things.

I’m a Certified Autism & Anxiety Sleep Specialist AND a parent carer to 4 neurodivergent and disabled children so I get it from both sides.

You deserve to sit on a train and just… look out of the window.

DM me “SLEEP” to find out how I can help.

I can always tell the moment it clicks for a parent I’m talking to 🥰It’s not the “certified Autism & Anxiety Sleep Speci...
05/07/2026

I can always tell the moment it clicks for a parent I’m talking to 🥰

It’s not the “certified Autism & Anxiety Sleep Specialist” bit that changes their demeanour, it’s when they realise I’m also a SEND mum myself, raising four neurodivergent children across a huge spread of needs.

One non-verbal, needing 2:1 care round the clock. Another who’s just finished her university degree. So when I say “I get it,” I’m not being polite. I actually do!

Over 20+ years, professionally and personally, I’ve picked up plenty from textbooks and training, but honestly I’ve learned just as much, if not more, from other parents in the trenches with me.

And the professionals who’ve actually made a difference to our family are, without fail, the ones living this life too. Funny how that works 😜

I know it might not feel true right now, but your child CAN sleep. It’s never about forcing them to fit a milestone chart, or society’s expectations and ‘shoulds’ it’s about finding the approach that’s actually built around them, their brain, and what they need.

So tell me, where are you on your sleep journey at the moment? Drop it below 👇🏻

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Newquay
Cornwall

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+447310720883

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