This online article from Raising Children Network’s Parent Guide to ASD Therapies describes and evaluates the use of melatonin, a medication intended to promote sleep in children on the autism spectrum. The article concludes that melatonin does help some children fall asleep more quickly, but that it is unclear whether melatonin increases the overall length of sleep. However, the article warns that “There isn’t enough research on this therapy for us to rate it, or it hasn’t yet been reviewed by our research sources.” Furthermore, side-effects can be experienced for this therapy including nausea and headaches.

Raising Children Network is an information resource maintained by a partnership of agencies in Australia. Its website offers “evidence-based content you can trust on hundreds of topics about raising children and looking after yourself as a parent.” [Website]