Clinics and Nap Times, Oh My! Supporting Daytime Sleep for Younger Learners in ABA Settings
When it comes to providing full-day ABA services for younger learners, daytime sleep isn’t just a bonus—it’s a biological necessity. But unlike preschools, where group nap times are the norm, many ABA clinics struggle with scheduling and supporting naps in a way that aligns with each learner’s developmental and biological sleep needs. And for autistic children, whose sleep can already be unpredictable, finding the right rhythm requires a collaborative, informed approach.
So let’s talk about how we can make naps work better in the clinic setting—and why it matters so much.
Why Daytime Sleep Is Still Essential
Naps typically begin to drop around 3.5 years of age, but until that point, most young children still need one consistent daytime sleep period to support emotional regulation, memory consolidation, and overall learning readiness. For children under 2 years, the average nap should occur around 5 hours after morning wake-up. For those over 2, it’s closer to 6 hours after morning wake-up.
This isn’t just about helping a child feel rested—it’s about creating the conditions for optimal learning. Research shows that inadequate or poorly timed naps can lead to increased irritability, diminished attention span, and reduced capacity for skill acquisition. And for our youngest clients, the impact can be immediate and lasting.
The Problem? Inconsistent Morning Wake Times
Preschools are often successful at implementing group nap times because children typically arrive with consistent morning wake-ups and are grouped by age. This predictability creates aligned biological readiness for sleep at the same time each day. But in the autism community, prevalent sleep disturbances make morning wake times far more variable.
If one learner wakes up at 5:30am and another at 8:00am, their biological readiness for a nap will differ drastically. This makes it nearly impossible to implement a “one size fits all” nap schedule in a clinic setting—and it often results in overtired or under-tired learners, both of which make sleep more difficult.
How We Can Improve
ABA clinics don’t need to reinvent the wheel—but they do need to take sleep science into account. Here’s how:
1. Ask About Morning Wake Times
Before deciding when to offer a nap, ask caregivers what time the learner typically wakes up. Then, apply the waking window guidance:
Under 2 years old → nap ~5 hours after wake-up
Over 2 years old → nap ~6 hours after wake-up
This small change in practice makes a big difference in how easily children fall asleep and how long they stay asleep. If families struggle with inconsistent wake times, this is an ideal opportunity to start a conversation about sleep and plug in support using the Free Sleep Kit.
2. Nap by Age, Not by Schedule
Grouping nap times by age (rather than time of day) aligns more closely with biological sleep needs. When similarly aged children are offered naps around the same waking window, everyone benefits. And yes—this includes the staff!
3. Support Families with Nighttime Sleep
Clinic nap schedules will always struggle unless there’s consistency at night. Support families by:
Helping set appropriate bedtimes
Encouraging wind-down routines before bed
Emphasizing the importance of consistent morning wake-ups (yes, even on weekends)
Even small adjustments to bedtime routines can lead to big improvements in nap consistency during the day.
A Role for Every BCBA
As behavior analysts, we’re in a unique position to support better sleep across settings. It starts by assessing the data we already have: frequent yawning, disengagement during sessions, or inconsistent behavior from morning to afternoon can all point to a nap need that isn’t being met.
Let’s also normalize the conversation. Families may not bring up sleep challenges unless asked, and clinics may not always prioritize naps in favor of programming goals. But as Certified Behavioral Sleep Educators, we know that rest is a prerequisite to learning—and that includes rest in the middle of the day.
Need help identifying how to build sleep support into your clinical practice? Download the Free Sleep Kit, or explore our course offerings inside The Sleep Collective—where you’ll learn how to support families with sustainable, age-appropriate, evidence-based sleep strategies that include both night and day.
Because when our learners sleep better, they learn better.
