Special Needs Pediatric Sleep Specialist in PA
Testimonials
From happier healthier rested sleeping Parents!
elliot | 5 YEARS
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Melissa’s services were excellent from start to finish. Like many other parents, we had tried no end of things to gain more sleep for our family, all with very little success. We wished we had contacted Melissa 3 years ago, when we had first heard about her. Melissa is an expert in her field, is inquisitive by nature, expert in her recommendations and diligent in finding solutions. She gets straight to the nub of the problem and helps you through the journey, all the time making you feel very supported. Melissa looks at the problem from a 360 perspective, quickly coming up with easy to manage scenarios to help you rule things either in or out. It is this approach and Melissa’s in-depth experience that provided us with an immediate and tangible improvement to our child’s sleep.
If you need help, you should have Melissa on speed dial! That one call could be a life-changer as it was for us.
Owen | 6 months
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Owen was sleeping less than 6 hours with an average number 2 to 5 night time wake-ups with mom and dad getting an average of 5 to 6 hours of sleep before seeking sleep consulting.
“Owen goes to bed between 7 to 8 typically and only wakes up once now to have his diaper changed and to get fed. Napping is going amazing! He takes a two hour 1st nap and about an hour-hour 1/2 2nd nap! He seems less cranky, is off of most of his medication, and overall seems great! Since he goes to bed earlier than before sleep consulting, his father and I are able to spend more time together, eat dinner together, and most of all…REST FINALLY! My mood feels better and I even started getting back into working out and doing things that I enjoy. Seek out Melissa, STAT! Be consistent and you will see results! My child is sleeping! Thank you, Melissa.”
matyas | 6 YEARS
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This is such a huge achievement that I have to share it with the world! I lived for 6 years with just a hope of seeing my 6 years old child sleep through the night. Before the sleeping program, I never slept a single night without waking up every 2 hours by my child’s request of water, food or company. Of course I had to ask for help of my mom and aunts, but for them it was also a sleepless night. One of the first things I learned with the program is that it was all about habits, really bad habits, I had helped him to acquire through the years, making me, the water and the 4am snack the most important thing he needed to sleep. With determination I started this challenge… I did not break any rule and achieved every goal for every day. He adapted to the sleeping routine very easily and mastered the art of falling asleep without props. We continue working on his waking time and don’t have any doubt he will finally get that 7am start of his day. I can only thank Melissa for her support during this challenge, her coaching through the weeks was perfect and the program is superb for those parents who don’t see the light in the dark, sleepless tunnel. I am a happy mom who enjoys a good night sleep while knowing my child is sleeping too! Muchas Gracias!
isla | 5 YEARS
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Isla was only sleeping 8 hours a night and would be fully awake by 5:30am. The whole family was exhausted! After sleep training, Isla got at least 11 hours of sleep at night without any wake-ups. Mom started to get over 8 hours of sleep a night herself!
Mom says:”She is way more active during the day now. Her endurance in physical activities has improved. Isla even looks well rested! We are enjoying our time together during the day homeschooling and being physically active.” She has even made daily improvements in her “speech and energy!” She started “asking for snacks less, going to bed very easily. We enjoy our time before bed now and it has turned into a really nice bonding time for our family at the end of the day. With a solid plan and consistency your child will start to sleep better. Drop everything and do Melissa’s program — it will benefit your entire family.”
isaac | 4 YEARS
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Before implementing his customized sleep plan, Isaac only knew how to fall asleep with mom being right beside him. Sometimes, he could sleep through the night, but often he was up 10 times a night and struggling to sleep without help. This left Isaac and his momma exhausted! In just a few weeks, Isaac learned not only how to sleep on his own but through the night. He now wakes up just briefly, and sleeps with great quality.
Isaac’s mom says: “I have found 1-2 hours of evening time for myself that I use to have to lie down with Isaac to get him to sleep. I can trust someone else to put Isaac to sleep now and practice the “routine” we developed. Isaac is sleeping better at night, too! He doesn’t cry as much during the day, he use to cry for everything and demand mom. This helped him become a little more independent during the day. Make a decision and commit to getting some help, don’t waiver in your decision or doubt the results. Stay confident and press on no matter what. Have a goal in mind and you will get there!”
penny | 3 YEARS
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Before starting the sleep training program, Penny was waking many times a night and just not getting the hours she needed. She relied on parents help to get to sleep, which was exhausting everyone. After the program, Penny was sleeping 10 hours through the night, and mom was getting 8+ hours of sleep herself.
Here’s what mom had to say about the program: “I SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT! She eats much better during the day now that she’s not drinking milk in her bottle all night. I would highly recommend [to parents] they contact Melissa. Melissa put into place structures that help focus us so that we can help our child…you really did everything we hoped you would!”
liam | 4 YEARS
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Liam had a lot of difficulty falling asleep, often taking hours past the time we put him to bed. He also would get up at least once a night, and wake up very early. In the mornings after a bad night, he would have issues getting ready for school or doing simple tasks without a meltdown.
Now, Liam falls asleep very soon after putting him to bed, rarely having issues falling asleep. He sleeps through the night, and even if he does wake up early, he rests in his bedroom until an appropriate hour. Liam sleeps almost 12 hours a night, and is a lot less irritable. He seems more level headed and I believe it is because he’s well rested. I like the fact that with just a few small changes to our routine, and items in Liam’s room, we saw a big change. I also like that Melissa would check in regularly to see how Liam was doing, and suggested resolutions to any issues that arose as we worked through the program.
I have referred Melissa before, and I would suggest other families to look into sleeping programs for their children. A short consultation really helped our daily lives. It’s amazing that we see how much better Liam feels with a good nights sleep, and I and my partner are feeling better getting a good night sleep as well!
anna | 2 YEARS
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We sleep trained our daughter since she was young, so we thought we knew all about sleep training. At one year of age, while she was able to fall sleep at 7PM, she never really slept past 6:30AM. This was a drain on both myself and my husband. Then as she grew older, she started having major sleep regression and was waking up at 6AM, then 5:30AM and 4:30AM, and she even told us she wanted to sleep with us. This lasted for a few months and no matter what we did – let her cry it out, controlled crying, reward system, etc. – nothing worked. Both my husband and I were walking zombies during the day and I was depressed, exhausted and on the verge of a break down.
So I decided to ask Melissa for help. On the first day of the Melissa’s sleep training, my husband basically rolled his eyes as I followed Melissa’s technique…. BUT IT WORKED! Three days later she became an angel again, sleeping from 7PM to 6:15AM. While Melissa told us it was possible to train our daughter to sleep past 7AM, we weren’t very hopeful but were happy with her waking up past 6AM instead of between 5:30 and 6AM. We continued to religiously follow the routine and guess what, one month later, she is sleeping 12 hours at night and doesn’t wake up until 7:10am. Sometimes she even sleeps later. Better yet, she used to be a light sleeper and would wake up to different sounds, but now she is a much deeper sleeper and is much less sensitive to sound and light.
This has been life changing for all three of us. Not only do we get our life and health back, but we see major differences in our daughter – she starts gaining weight, her complexion is much healthier, she is much calmer and happier, and most importantly, she is improving everyday now she has enough sleep. Thank you so much Melissa. My husband and I can’t be more grateful for what you have done for our family!
Tyler | 4 YEARS
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With Tyler sleeping less than 6 hours with 2 to 5 nighttime wake ups before consulting, his family could only squeeze in a mere less than 5 hours of rest on average! After sleep training, Tyler managed to up his sleep to 9 to 10 hours with only 1 to 2 nighttime wake ups. It his also great that his family now manages to get 7 to 8 hours sleep.
Mum says, “Tyler is having deeper and longer sleep. He is happier, more energetic, content, and doing better at ABA. I am so much happier and less stressed. Tyler is also much happier and content, not getting upset because he is overtired. I loved how Melissa’s program was run at our pace and completely customized to Tyler’s needs. For me, the best thing about working with Melissa
is how easy she was to talk to with no judgements, and how quickly she responded to questions. I loved everything about the program!
For parents with children that have sleep problems, I’d tell them to invest in sleep training. It is the best thing you will ever do for both you and your child.
sean | 6.5 YEARS
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Before starting, Sean would sleep an average number of 7 to 8 hours, but now gets 9 to 10 hours of sleep. His previous 2 to 5 night time wake ups reduced to 1 to 2 and despite these minimal number of wake ups, it is easy to get him back to sleep.
Mom says, “Sean has improved energy levels and the nights are now more predictable! I loved that the sleep program was not harsh in any way and found Melissa to be very approachable, understanding and empathetic to our situation. She’s very easy to work with. For parents whose child has sleep problems, you should consider using Melissa — we wish we had done it sooner.”
ETHAN | 6 YEARS
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Ethan’s family were overjoyed when he could finally get an average of 9 to 10 hours of sleep following the Special Needs Sleep Program. Previously, Ethan would wake up multiple times a night and just wasn’t getting the quality sleep he needed. Within a month of sleep training, Ethan was able to fall asleep independently with ZERO night wake-ups. Mom and dad now can get their 8+ hours of sleep, too!
“We are so grateful for the gift of Melissa in our life! Within two weeks of beginning sleep training. Ethan is much more well rested and resilient when emotional challenges arise. He would have 2-3 long melt-downs a day before sleep training, lasting 20 minutes or longer. The melt-downs required adult intervention and the use of a visual to help him identify his emotions and a coping tool. We haven’t had to use the chart in MONTHS because he has NO melt-downs.
Ethan’s personality has really begun to blossom since being more well-rested. We get to see his humor much more often. His teacher says he is “bursting with ideas” at school too.
We really resonated with Melissa’s approach and personality. We felt like we could connect with her and she was really a cheerleader for “Team Ethan”. We would recommend Melissa’s support to other parents whose special needs children are having sleep issues.”
owen | 3.5 YEARS
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“He can fall asleep on his own when we first put him to bed. We no longer need to be in his room until he falls asleep. He doesn’t wake up in the middle of the night anymore. If he does, he will put himself back to sleep.”
Those are the words of Owen’s mom who is ecstatic that her son is now able to sleep 10 to 11 hours. Owen currently has zero nighttime wake up. This allowed his family to manage 8+ hours of sleep from the previous 5 to 6 hours. What an improvement!
Mom says, “Owen falls asleep faster and stays asleep, he is not as tired and cranky in the morning. Every recommendation from Melissa was helpful. Also, her routine was easy to follow, plus her communication and follow-up were great. For parents whose child has sleep problems, I’d like to let you know that It’s possible to get your child to sleep with the right help. You have to be willing to commit to a structured routine, but it will be 100% worth it. Many of my friends have ASD children with sleep difficulties. I always tell them about Owen’s success. ”
milo | 2 YEARS
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From 8 to 9 hours of sleep a night before sleep consulting to 11 to 12 hours of blissful sleep. That’s what Milo experienced and his family is ecstatic about managing to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep up from the previous 5 to 6 hours.
This is what mom had to say, “Milo doesn’t fight us anymore. He understands when it’s bedtime and lays down. He may stir a little at night but he’s slept through the night for over two weeks now! I can’t tell you how happy that makes us. His energy level has increased a ton during the day and nap times are going well too. We’re so incredibly happy to sleep through the night and not walk around like zombies. We are so grateful to Melissa and loved her easy going confidence that this would work and Milo would get it. It gave me a lot of hope when I really needed it.”
Lorenzo | 4 years
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This is what Lorenzo’s mom had to say: “In retrospect, we knew our son had issues surrounding the quality and quantity of sleep he was getting. We tried solutions based on our own experiences but ultimately failed because we didn’t realize that sometimes, you have to teach a kid how to sleep. Working with an expert in sleep for special needs individuals was so helpful to identify the areas that we needed to work on and teach our son so he could put himself to sleep, stay in his bed, and wake at the appropriate time. The thing I most appreciated about our sleep training program was that it was a holistic approach – mind, body, spirit. Melissa gave us practical tips on how to keep our family’s bedtime routines/rituals that are meaningful to us and our son as part of the process of sleep. I don’t think our sleep training would have been as successful without addressing each of those components.”
jack | 18 months
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Jack was born extremely prematurely and after developing hydrocephalus at 1 month old, needed a shunt. At a young age, Jack was diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy and parents were told he was blind and deaf. Before sleep training, Jack slept less than 6 hours a night — needing to be rocked, fed, and held to go to sleep. Parents were exhausted!
Here’s what they had to say: “Jack had made big improvements! Now, he stops waking up every 2 hours and can be in his own bed. Everything is different and now we can sleep as well. Compared to before, my husband and I were like zombies. Sometimes, Jack would cry and cry all night. Now, the whole family is in bed at 8pm. Jack still takes some time to fall asleep and wakes once or twice, but it’s a big improvement! Now he is gaining weight, he eats more, and he is a happy baby.
Maddie | 10 months
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Our baby needed to be held and rocked to sleep every single time —nighttime and naps used a pacifier and would wake up when it fell out, would be fed formula during night wakings, would wake several times a night, and usually took 1-2 hours before going back to sleep. We were all suffering. We finally decided to consult with Melissa and by night 3, Maddie slept 11 hours! We never thought our baby could do this. Melissa not only guided us through sleeping, feeding, how the brain works, and even gave us some tips on physical therapy. She was patient, knowledgeable and truly cared about our baby girl.
Maddie now goes to sleep faster and she usually wakes up with a smile on her face. We have more time to enjoy our evenings like watching tv, doing household chores, and catching up with friends and family online. We have more time to talk to each other and our relationship has improved. We are more rested and ready to see Maddie in the morning after 12 hours apart! Better mood, much willing to cooperate, more energy, more alert and she can now soothe herself to sleep. Thank you, Melissa.
Luke | 2 years
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At around 6 months, his average wake time was 3 A.M. with a mere 5 to 8 hours of sleep for the parents. This left the whole family exhausted. After the program, Luke is sleeping 7+ hours a night with zero nighttime wake-ups.
Luke’s mom says about the program: “Luke now goes to sleep without us rocking him, he doesn’t wake up for milk a minimum of 2 times a night, he is much better at putting himself to sleep, very occasionally he wakes up at 2 am or 3 am and doesn’t go back to sleep whereas before he was doing it almost every second or third night! He eats better and drinks better and is also napping better during the day. All of the above allows my husband and I to sleep better which gives all 3 of us a better quality of life! Sleep makes Luke happier, he develops faster and his eating and drinking have also improved.”
Elijah | 5 YEARS
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BELIEVE THE HYPE. I know every child is different, and when you’re in the thick of whatever developmental challenge you’re facing it can feel so specific and so isolating — no one will understand the overlapping issues here. It’s impossible for me to untie this knot, let alone someone who doesn’t know my child or our situation. But as a mother whose own life and whose child’s life was completely changed —at age 5 by this woman, a child who never slept more than 4 hours at a shot and who now sleeps 10 hours every night and has the developmental progress to show for it. All I have to give is empathy and the strongest possible two words: CALL MELISSA.
Will | 4 years
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Everything is different. My son Will is sleeping through the night which makes everything better.
If he does wake up, which is rarely, it’s incredibly easy to get him back to bed. The stress level in our home has gone down dramatically. We can actually put him to bed without the dreaded feeling of “how long do we have until he wakes up and how long will he be up?”
His behavior is significantly better, as is his communication. His teachers noticed a difference quickly and asked us what changes we were making and to please keep doing it. He really is like a different kid. And he really likes his bedtime schedule. He recites it every night and tells us which step is next.
We were told by a different specialist that our son might just be a kid who only needs 6 hours of sleep a night. I didn’t know we were so close to a full nights sleep. Seriously it was 2 weeks for us! Working with Melissa was one of the best decisions we have ever made for our family!
JAANVI | 16 months
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Sid | 9 years old
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My son Sid is 9 yrs old. His sleep was always messed up since he was baby. He couldn’t sleep more then 4-5 hrs during night. So our days were tiring, we were zombies. Hardly functional, we tried everything (no nap in the afternoon, melatonin,..Etc) but couldn’t get him sleep more then 4-5 hrs. He used to sleep very late in the night by midnight or 1am and then wake up fresh at 5am, ready to play.
We consulted Ms. Melissa for this and she suggested something which I thought was impossible! She told me to put him to bed very early, at 8pm and this is the evening for us! I was sure it was not going to work. But, I gave it a shot. To my surprise, the very first day he slept 8 hours without melatonin or any other sleep support.
Since then, we are putting him early to bed and he is sleeping for a good 7-8 hours and that’s a blessing! She told us many more tips and tools for making him sleep independently and we are doing this in steps.
He is happy and has no more frequent headaches during the day! Thanks to Ms. Melissa from the bottom of my heart!
Emerson | 5 Months
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“To parents whose child has a sleep problem, I totally get it. I was there, frustrated and tired and I finally got to the point where I couldn’t take it anymore. I knew I had to teach my son to sleep as his older sister spoiled my husband and I by being a great sleeper from day one. I never like to hear my son cry, but once I finally decided to hire Melissa I was all in. There was no turning back. I knew I could do it, even though there would be trying nights and days. And for sure there were, but I kept thinking about my ultimate goal for my son and that was to get him to learn how to sleep.”
To read more about Emerson and his sleep story, please click here.
Noah | 3 years old
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Noah is now sleeping 3 more hours a night and having fewer and fewer wake ups.
“Noah is able to sleep independently. His behavior has improved significantly. We atrribute Noah’s improvements in behavior, mental alterness, receptiveness, stamina to his more restful sleep. Even his therapists have noticed a difference in Noah! After completing our sleep program, we are now realizing how critical restful sleep can be for a child’s development…Our only regret is that we did not request help earlier!”
Levi | 11 years old
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Levi feels much more confident about being alone if he wakes up in the middle of the night, and can usually put himself back to sleep. If he wakes me up, I can put him back to bed and go back to sleep without having to stay up with him. His mood is much better now that he gets more sleep on must days. Even if you think nothing will help, there is help to be found. It took me months to find Melissa and I had given up all hope; but once I found her, she was able to help us in ways that I could not have done alone. The coaching and prep on how to prepare Levi to make a change was invaluable.
ANDREW | 3 YEARS OLD
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Andrew spent less than 6 hours of sleep each night. Imagine how cranky he was and how tired the rest of the family were! Post sleep consulting, Andrew gets an incredible 10 to 11 hours of sleep!
An excited mom expressed: “We can finally sleep through the night.”
PARKER | 7 YEARS OLD
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Parker who was diagnosed with MCTT syndrome had an average of 2 to 5 hours of nighttime wakeups. After the sleep program, Parker is able to get his beauty sleep with less night time wake ups and a less tired household!
Mom expressed her joy: “There is hope! With some time, patience and consistency you can make adjustments to help you get them and you some rest.Consistency with boundaries – sticking with it even when it was tough helped us get over the hump in the first few weeks. Loved the visual aid of the book as well. Parker seems to be proud of himself and enjoys the process of bedtime and reading the book provided. Parker has learned that there are boundaries around sleep and getting up. He is seemingly more rested, waking up less during the night and waking up at a reasonable hour (at least in our world!). We are definitely less tired due to the lack of the middle of the night wake ups.
SHAY | 20 MONTHS OLD
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With an average of less than 6 hours sleep each night before consulting, the situation was frustrating for her and the whole family who could manage only less than 5 hours sleep. Following the sleep consulting, Shay currently gets an average of 8 to 9 hours of sweet sleep each night while her family is well rested with 7 to 8 hours of rest.
“Shay is starting to sleep for longer periods of time. We still aren’t perfect but we are getting there! She is much happier and so am I. Shay’s moods have been more regulated and her interaction is expanding. I loved how the program was customized for Shay and how it covered all aspects of her being, not just her sleep. Melissa, you are so knowledgeable and caring. You helped me understand Shay on a deeper level with her Sensory Processing Disorder and needs. I would recommend your services because you have an ability to understand a child on a more well rounded leve. You look at all habits and day to day life.”
DRAGO | 4 YEARS
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Prior to the sleep consulting, Drago had an average of less than 6 hours of sleep a night, with a frustrating 5 to 10 number of nighttime wake ups. Following a sleep consultation, Drago is sleeping great with an average of 11 to 12 hours of sleep per night with only 1 to 2 hours of nighttime wake ups. It’s a double win as the family who would get less than 5 hours sleep per night now get 8+ hours of sleep!
“Drago seems to get and appreciate comfortable sleep now,” says mom. “He is showing more personality and learning more quickly because of having better sleep. I really liked Melissa’s plethora of knowledge and her ability to make appropriate changes for individual children’s needs.I would recommend her in a heartbeat to anybody who has a child with sleep problems.”
KHAIYA | 20 MONTHS
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With Khaiya getting an average of 9 to 10 hours sleep before consulting, his parents could only manage to sleep an average of 5 to 6 hours because of Khaiya’s night time wake ups. After the sleep consultation, Khaiya now sleeps a whopping 11 to 12 solid hours with no night time wake ups. None!
Mom says of the transformation, “It’s like night and day. Being able to put Khaiya in the cot without rocking him to sleep, and him being able to put himself to sleep throughout the night is life changing. He knows his routine and now instigates going up to bed at night. He seems happier when he wakes in the morning, and we feel that a good night’s sleep helps with the physio he needs to do during the day. The program took into account what we were comfortable with and I think that’s why it was successful. Melissa understood that every situation is different and worked with us to come up with suggestions of how to deal with little things we encountered along the way. With our baby sleeping through the night for the first time in over a year and a half, I recommend Melissa 100% as the result speaks for itself.”
HUDSON | 6 YEARS
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With Hudson sleeping less than 6 hours and an average of 2 to 5 nighttime wake ups, prior to consultation, part of the ripple effect on the family was an average of less than 5 hours of sleep. Following the consultation, Hudson now gets an average of 9 to 10 hours with fewer night time wake ups!
Hudson is doing wonderfully with his sleep and is falling asleep sooner and FINALLY sleeping through the night. He has improved in every aspect of his life. His speech, occupational, behavioral and academic goals are being met sooner than anticipated. He’s come so far that his IEP was changed as his teachers and therapists believe that he will meet his goals well before the target date. Melissa’s knowledge, compassion and willingness to help up far beyond what was expected. For parents whose children have sleep problems, I’d advise them to contact Melissa as she can help change your life for the better.
CHARLIE | 8 YEARS
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When Charlie’s family signed up for sleep consulting, he was only managing an average of 8 to 9 hours of sleep. This went up to 10 to 11 hours after sleep training.
“Charlie’s moods have stabilized a little and he responds really well to his bedtime routine and is often sleepy before it’s finished. Getting him to bed is easy – no last minute requests for snacks, no melatonin. He still sometimes wakes up at night to use the bathroom, but he goes right back to sleep. He is sleeping later in the morning and is more relaxed when he wakes up. He slept past 7:00 am for the first time ever. I love Melissa’s upbeat attitude and that she praised and encouraged me for the work I did. I would definitely recommend Melissa’s services to other parents because being able to get a good night’s rest helps you be a good parent the rest of the day. It’s money well spent.”
RUBY | 8 YEARS
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Following our sleep consulting with Melissa, Ruby is happier, able to connect better and emotionally regulate more easily. She gets an average of 8-9hours of sleep and once a week, a good 10 hour stretch.I liked that the sleep program was simple to understand and execute with support and tools. It was great working with Melissa who is organized and I really liked the program she set up.
Prior to the consulting I was overwhelmed with what seemed like a very daunting issue to solve. But by experiencing Ruby consistently getting more sleep than ever, I can confidently say that sleep is possible for children with sleep problems as I have experienced it.
It’s special to see Ruby really proud of herself and feeling confident knowing she achieved something. I would recommend Melissa as a sleep consultant. I was thankful for the program and would recommend Melissa as your go-to sleep consultant.
MADDOX | 3 YEARS
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“Following Maddox’s sleep consultation there have been improvements in his sleep which is more consistent with a predictable schedule, mom says. “This has had a positive impact on every aspect of family life. Before contacting Melissa, we didn’t know what changes to make with our child’s sleep, but on working with Melissa, she gave very helpful guidance. She gave clear instructions and recommendations. Melissa is very experienced with special needs kids and I would recommend her to other families if sleep issues come up.”
CARA | 12 YEARS
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With an average sleep of 9 to 10 hour accompanied with 2 to 5 nighttime wake ups, Cara’s family only managed 5 to 6 hours of sleep each night. Post sleep training, Cara has zero nighttime wake ups with her family managing 6 to 7 hours of sleep.
Mum says, “Cara now sleeps through at least 50% of the time. I am much happier being back in my own bed and not being woken up every night. There was a lot of contact – the face to face zoom conversations were regular and very useful. They also encouraged me to keep moving with the plan. I know that left by myself I would have given up or let things slip back at least. I would encourage other parents whose child has sleep problems to seek outside help as it is hard to be objective and see things clearly when you are so involved with your own child, and hard to imagine things will ever change. I would recommend Melissa and her services to other parents of children with additional needs. With a third party involved, progress is much more likely.”
MONTY | 4 YEARS OLD
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Following our sleep consultation with Melissa, it’s really amazing having Monty is sleeping happily in his own bed after sleeping in our bed his whole life. Having time as a couple after he’s in his room is wonderful. It’s great that there are no more super sleepy mornings after inadequate sleep, crying when we have to wake him up to get dressed for preschool.
I loved that we were gradual but also fast in the transition between the steps. I’ve balked at advice that seemed too sudden a transition, and I really liked that we slowly adjusted the stages. But I also liked that those phases were pretty short so we could see the progress! Melissa was personalized and flexible with Monty, so when an approach wasn’t working another option was ready to go.
Working with Melissa actually achieved a real change and improved our son’s sleep immensely. I would recommend her services to any parent struggling with sleep, especially parents of ASD kids who are frustrated with other sleep resources.
HANK | 22 MONTHS
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Going from 7 to 8 hours of sleep before a sleep program, to a whopping 10 to 11 hours after sleep training, Hank is happier and more rested. Hank had an average of 2 to 5 night time wake ups, but now sleeping all the way through until morning. With such a great improvement, mom and dad are able to get an average of 7 to 8 hours of sleep from the previous 5 to 6 and that’s fantastic!
“We like everything about the program! The specific recommendations about the sleep environment were especially helpful. We liked how integrative and individual Melissa’s approach was—it was tailored to Hank and our needs as a family. I also appreciated that it was at a pace that felt comfortable for us. Prior to sleep training, Hank was often irritable and not as cooperative, but now, he really is thriving. For parents whose child has sleep problems, I’d tell you that hopeless as it may seem, your child can sleep through the night too! Melissa can help you!”
SAMUEL | 4 YEARS
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Working with Melissa in Samuel’s sleep consulting, I couldn’t help but notice how well thought out the structure of the program is. I found Melissa to be very informative and she provided a plethora of resources that were specific to our child and our situation. I’d advise parents whose children have sleeping problems to get help and start when they are young. Don’t allow them to develop bad sleeping habits.
I truly enjoyed the weekly check ins with Melissa as well as hearing what the other families were experiencing.
I love that Samuel is now going to sleep without a fight, and since his behavior has gotten better, me and my husband are now able to have alone time after the kids are put to bed.
M | 22 months
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Before sleep coaching, M was managing to sleep an average of 9 to 10 hours, but his biggest struggle was sleeping independently. M was diagnosed with Moderate Autism and Global Developmental Delays. Following a sleep consultation, M is able to sleep independently and his family is thrilled!
This is what mom had to say: “M is getting about the same amount of sleep at night as he got before working with Melissa. The big changes and improvements have been that he now sleeps independently, he sleeps in his own sleep space, and he doesn’t wake up every 45-90 minutes. I am no longer tethered to M at night. I’m glad M finally started to get everything he needed (and still needs) to be happy and successful at toddlering. I have seen tons of improvements and growth between April/May and now. I liked the fact that Melissa’s sleep program was gentle. Everything moved in stages, and the stages made sense for M and me and our needs. Melissa was very understanding, patient, and responsive. To parents whose child is having sleep problems, I would tell them to hire Melissa!”
FLORENCE | 3 YEARS
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Being a child with Cerebral Palsy, Florence’s sleep was affected and she could only manage 8 to 9 hours of sleep with 2 to 5 hours of nighttime wake ups. Following a sleep consultation boosted Florence’s sleep to 11 to 12 hours with only 1 to 2 nighttime wakeups.
Florence’s mum had this to say, “It has been an amazing difference to us all, we are getting good sleep, everyone’s mood is better and nighttimes are less stressful and we can enjoy our evenings! I could only sleep 5 to 6 hours before consulting. I’m elated to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep which leaves me rejuvenated. Florence’s mood is better. She hasn’t caught a cold this season, which she normally does.
Melissa’s approach is friendly and supportive. I would highly recommend her for her good structured approach with plenty of support. She is also knowledgeable and caring.
For parents whose child has sleep problems, I’d tell them, when you are ready to tackle it, it is so worth it, you can’t imagine the difference it makes to your life.
MAGDALENA | 5 YEARS
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After experiencing a long stretch of sleep problems, Magdalena’s family was elated to have great success with the sleep training. Magdalena, who’s been diagnosed with Down Syndrome, currently sleeps 10 to 11 hours with zero night time wake ups. Her parents are now resting 7 to 8 hours a night, which is an enormous improvement.
“Magdalena is experiencing better and longer sleep,” mom says. “She sleeps in her room and is an independent sleeper allowing dad and I to sleep much better. We are proud of Magdalena and we feel empowered to tackle other problems with her.
We liked being guided by Melissa and the program made sense. What we liked best about working with Melissa is the fact that she cared and rooted for us.
To parents whose child has sleep problems I’d advise them to get help and not to accept bad sleeping as something normal for which there is no solution. Life is better when you get your rest. I would recommend Melissa because I believe she can help other families of children with special needs because of her experience and dedication.”
SAIM | 10 YEARS
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Our main issue was Saim sleeping in our bed. Thanks to Melissa, he is now finally sleeping through the night independently in his own bed. It’s been great for us. Proper sleep has really helped with self-regulation for Saim. He is a much happier kid.
During the sleep program, we found Melissa very flexible and understood our situation well. Melissa’s deep understanding of the importance of sensory integration into the program was very helpful. Everything was wonderful and tailored to our needs.
For parents whose child is experiencing sleep problems, I’d advise them to contact Melissa!
FORD | 3.5 YEARS
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Imagine the frustration of Ford and his family when at 3.5 years old, he only slept an average of 7 to 8 hours each night, with 2 to 5 night time wake ups. To make matters worse, Ford’s parents were only getting 5 hours of sleep themselves!
But those days are gone, after a sleep consulting session with Linda, Ford now rests up to 9 hours with 1 to 2 nighttime wake ups. His parents now get 6 to 7 hours of their beauty sleep.
“It is so much easier for him to go down now,” said mom. “If he has a night wakeup he knows he has to go back to his room. The improvements we all have now are a strict schedule with no surprises. Ford is not defiant when it’s bedtime. With the routine given to us he is excited that dad is going to read to him.
Linda was friendly, honest and understanding, she saved my marriage! It sounds so silly but having a third party guide my husband and I during this difficult time was so crucial. You can look up things on your own and implement them but some people just work better when a third party is involved that actually has the tools you need to be successful.”
ARSALAN | 2 YEARS
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Arsalan is accustomed to his sleep routine and can fall asleep on his own in his crib. He can consistently sleep through the night for at least 9 hours. Arsalan does not need TV to fall asleep. Before sleep training, he was co-sleeping and sleeping extremely late (e.g. after midnight) because he did not have an appropriate bedtime routine. He was not sleeping enough and therefore was unable to function his best during the day. The same was true of us. Additionally, his sleep schedule interfered with his daycare schedule and our work schedule. Now, we feel we have more control over his sleep and ours.
Arsalan has seemed to make more progress in reaching developmental milestones and acquiring language. And, his mood has improved.
Katie was empathetic and patient. She also respected us when we had differing opinions or values. For parents with a child that has sleep troubles, it is possible to change things for the better. Working with an expert can help give you the confidence you need to succeed
MASON | 2.5 YEARS
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The main focus of Mason’s sleep challenge was on getting us out of the room – one parent used to have to sit in our son’s room until he fell asleep. Now, he goes down without us being there!
After the sleep training, Mason started sleeping through the night and when he does wake up, it’s a very easy thing to get him back down. He wants to go into his bed whereas before he’d want to sleep on us.
What I loved most about the sleep program was the flexibility. Linda realized that we weren’t going to be able to do the slower method and changed her suggestions to a quicker one, get us out of the room, and within 2-3 nights he was sleeping totally fine. She designed the sleep training to one that was realistic for our life.
For parents whose special needs child has sleep problems, I can say to you that you can get help!
BLAKE | 3 YEARS
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Blake is 3 years old and has been diagnosed with ASD, Epilepsy, and sensory processing challenges. In the course of a few short weeks, Blake went from less than 6 hours of sleep a night to 9 hours average of sleep and is no longer having frequent wake ups at night.
“Linda was instrumental in helping us get my daughter back on track with some small changes. I’m currently getting 5 to 6 hours of sleep each night. Everyone is happier now that we are getting more sleep. I would definitely recommend Linda and Melissa Doman Sleep Consulting services to anyone whose child doesn’t sleep well.”
BUCKY | 3 YEARS
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Bucky’s diagnosis is Autism level 3 with GDD. He went from struggling to get to sleep, waking for at least 2 hours in the night, to an average of 11-12 hours sleep. Within 1 week, Bucky was sleeping on his own and self soothing to sleep each night.
Mom says, “Our lives have improved immeasurably as a result. We are all well rested and therefore happier. Bucky has displayed less behaviors of concern and is much happier, with more energy. My favorite thing (and Bucky’s) is the personalized Bedtime Book. Melissa was so accommodating of the time zone challenge (we are in OZ) and very easy to talk to and trouble shoot with. I would absolutely recommend her to any parent struggling and depleted from lack of sleep.
