About the family sleep specialist
Hi, I am Michelle
Sleep consultant, children’s nurse and mum of two neurodivergent children who knows first-hand how exhausting and lonely long-term sleep struggles can feel.
I’ve been in your shoes. I know how it feels to dread bedtime. I tried all the traditional sleep advice and listened to all the well-meaning tips, but nothing seemed to work for my children. I knew what bedtime “should” look like, but living it with my own neurodivergent children was a very different reality. Our evenings were stressful – for my children and for me.
Bath time was often refused and could end in a meltdown, and brushing teeth became a battle every single night. As a qualified sleep consultant I knew what the textbooks said, but my children – with their Autistic and PDA profiles, sensory needs and ADHD brains – did not fit any “standard” approach. I was exhausted and felt like I must be doing something wrong.
Everything changed when I reached out for specialist support from a neurodiversity consultant who truly understood how my children’s brains worked. That was the missing piece. By combining my expert knowledge of sleep with a neuro-affirming approach, I was able to let go of what I thought bedtime “should” be like and finally discovered strategies that actually worked. Bedtime became calmer, easier and far less stressful for us all.
That experience is what led me to specialise in supporting neurodivergent children and teens with sleep. Today, I bring together my lived experience as a mum of two neurodivergent children with nearly 30 years as a children’s nurse and advanced paediatric sleep practitioner training. I use evidence-based practice, enriched by neuro-affirming principles, to support exhausted parents of Autistic, PDA and ADHD children to find practical sleep solutions that really work – so bedtime feels safer for your child, and evenings and mornings become easier for you.
When your child is able to fall asleep more easily and get the rest they need, you can reclaim your evenings – to reconnect with your partner, to relax, or simply to sleep in your own bed again. It means waking with more energy, patience and capacity to support your child (or children) the following day. Because improving your child’s sleep is never just about them; it is about you, too.
From exhausted evenings to calmer Nights and happier days
The Family Sleep Specialist is here to support exhausted parents of neurodivergent children and teens who have tried everything and found the traditional sleep advice doesn’t work for their child – including those who are Autistic, have a demand avoidant profile and ADHD.
I use different sleep support strategies, including a neuro-affirming approach that takes their child’s unique brain, sensory needs, emotional regulation and their need to feel safe at night seriously.
When a child begins to sleep well, their ability to regulate emotions, engage in learning, and navigate daily life often becomes noticeably easier. The Family Sleep Specialist understands that when sleep improves, so many other areas have the chance to flourish too.
My approach to sleep combines evidence-based practice, neuro-affirming principles and my own lived experience to help families move from long, drawn out and exhausting bedtimes to calmer evenings and more manageable mornings.
My approach to neurodivergent sleep support
My work is rooted in evidence-based practice, enriched by neuro-affirming principles. In practical terms, that means I aim to work with your child’s neurodivergent brain, not against it.
Rather than forcing your child to go along with rigid “one size fits all” neuro-typical sleep advice and rules, I start by understanding their sensory needs, emotional regulation, anxiety levels and what helps them feel safe at bedtime and throughout the night. From there, I will create a realistic, step-by-step, easy to follow sleep plan for you.
Your child’s emotional regulation and sense of safety matter deeply. I will never ask you to ignore your child’s distress or continue with anything that feels overwhelming for them or you. Instead, we will use sleep strategies that respect and align with their Autism, PDA and ADHD profiles.
Who I support
I work with parents and caregivers of neurodivergent children and teens who are experiencing ongoing sleep difficulties, including:
Most of the families I work with are based in the UK, and I also support families online in other countries. Home visit options are available within a defined area and are discussed on an individual basis.
Autistic children and teens whose sleep does not respond to standard or traditional sleep advice.
Children and teens with ADHD who struggle to switch off their “busy brain” at bedtime.
Children and teens with PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) whose need for control shows up strongly at bedtime and around their sleep.
Children who are suspected to be neurodivergent, are on a waiting list or are in the process of assessment.
Children and teens who are very dysregulated and have challenging behaviour at bedtime or due to lack of sleep.
Families dealing with long drawn out bedtimes, frequent night waking, early morning starts.
Most of the families I work with are based in the UK, and I also support families online in other countries. Home visit options are available within a defined area and are discussed on an individual basis.
Training, accreditations and experience
If you would like to know the qualifications behind the support I offer, here are some more details about my background
- Specialist in neurodivergent children and teen sleep
- Qualified to degree-level in Advanced Paediatric Sleep
- Trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)
- Sleep Specialist within an NHS-commissioned children’s service
- Almost 30 years’ experience as a children’s nurse – MSc Dip HE
- Committed to ongoing professional development and supervision
What working together feels like
Parent’s often tell me that having my support feels supportive, non-judgemental and practical. I am here to make your life easier, not harder. My aim is to reduce your sense of overwhelm, not add to it.
We take things step by step. I listen carefully to your story, and discuss your goals for your child’s sleep. We will agree on the first steps and I will create an easy to follow and personalised sleep plan. You are not expected to be perfect or consistent all the time – as a mum of two neurodivergent children I know that is impossible!
What I love most about my one‑to‑one support packages is the chance to walk alongside you — To encourage you, guide you and cheer you on. We will adapt the plan together as we discover what works for your child. The guesswork around what to try next, to improve your child’s sleep, will stop. You don’t have to carry this on your own anymore. I will be here to help you turn what once felt impossible into something achievable.
You are your child’s expert, you will be heard, listened to and respected. Your child’s neurodivergent profile and sense of safety will be at the centre of every recommendation I make.
James
Parent of 10 year old with ADHD
The improvement we have seen is incredible.We would highly recommend Michelle to any parent struggling with their child’s sleep.
Sarah (Hunrosa OT)
Parent of 7 year old highly sensitive child
Highly recommend Michelle’s 6 week group programme – it is far from the standard advice. She is so supportive.
Ali
Father of 2.5 year old suspected to be neurodivergent
We now get to relax in the evenings and almost always enjoy undisturbed nights. We saw huge improvement within days. Michelle’s knowledge and advice was absolutely invaluable for us.
Fiona
Fiona - parent of 8 year old suspected ADHD and OCD
The group programme has changed how we approach bedtime significantly. Our daughter is less anxious at bedtime, able to sleep better and is less reliant on us to fall asleep.
Jemma and James
Jemma and James - parents of 4 & 6 year old's suspected to be neurodivergent
We needed to know how to do things differently to improve our bedtime battles and early morning wake ups, this programme gave us a range of practical strategies to help.
Abeni
Abeni - parent of 5 year old suspected autism and PDA
My daughter is going to sleep much quicker and no longer dreads bedtime
Sophie
Sophie - Parent of 6 year old with PANDAS and PDA traits
If you need help with your child’s sleep don’t hesitate about signing up. Sleep is so important, let Michelle help you.
Rachel
Autism, PDA, burnout - falling asleep at midnight
The group programme has been invaluable, the dedicated time each week to ask questions was brilliant.I feel much more positive about my whole family’s sleep.
Poppy
Parent of 13-year-old - Falling asleep after midnight (SEND and anxiety)
“She now falls asleep within 15 minutes and is a much calmer, happier child. The impact has been life-changing for our family.”
Zara
Parent of 13-year-old - Co-sleeping and OCD rituals (Autistic and PDA)
“We achieved more in 8 weeks than we have in years with other support. Her OCD has dropped and she finally had her first sleepover!”
Next steps
If you are ready to explore how neurodivergent sleep support could help your family, here are some simple next steps:
Book a FREE call
I’d love to hear more about your child’s sleep struggles and share with you how I can help you get our evenings or bed back and more sleep. Booking a free call will help you decide if my support is the right-fit for your family.
Free Guide
If you’d like help immediately, download my FREE Busy Brains PDF guide –
It’s packed with simple neuro-affirming ideas to help your child switch off their busy brain at bedtime
Facebook Group
Join my free Facebook community – Sleep Help for Neurodivergent Children and Teens – for ongoing tips and encouragement from me while connecting with other parents who “get it”.
Wherever you are starting from today, you do not have to figure this out on your own. I would be honoured to support you and your family.
