Sleep, tiredness, focus and alertness are all common issues when dealing with Aspergers, Autism Spectrum, or ADHD. There are case studies and experiments where caffeine was used during the day to increase focus and to enhance sleep at night. There are studies that also cite the opposite, causing ADHD like symptoms to become worse and negatively impacting sleep.
For the average 'neuro-typical' person, it is usually safe to assume that caffeine will enhance focus during the day, but will negative impact sleep if taken at night. The ASD person however can potentially have a different reaction. Dealing with ASD means experimenting, trying to find the things that will help improve quality of life. Consider experimenting with a small dose of caffeine during the day to improve focus, or a very small dose at night. Avoid sugary drinks such as soda, and never drink diet drinks as they contain other negative chemicals. For children, you should be sure to start with a very small dose - for example, if you were to brew a standard coffee cup of green tea, you might consider giving them 1/4 cup or even less. Here are some examples of drinks with smaller amounts of caffeine:
For adults, there are numerous options for a higher dose of caffeine. Be cautious not to drink too much, and be especially careful if you are currently taking any other medication.
On the flip side, if you are already currently taking in a large amount of caffeine, you may need to consider if it will help to reduce or eliminate your intake. There are studies that show it is more beneficial for alertness and wakefulness in some people to take in a small cup of green tea, instead of several large cups of coffee. You should also consider eliminating or trying an alternative stimulant drink as some people are sensitive to caffeine specifically.
If there are issues with sleep, and you have eliminated caffeine 8 hours before bed time, try eliminating or cutting back even more. If there is still no help, consider and do research on your sleep habits. If you are still struggling, try drinking some chamomile tea, warm milk and honey an hour or so before bed time.
You should also consider the way the room is arranged - try to limit distracting objects, light level - darker the better, sheets, pillows and sounds such as from the HVAC system. You can utilize a white noise machine to help mask sounds. Make sure your HVAC filters are clean/changed to limit allergic reactions. Some people will lay with their child for a while to help them go to sleep. You must be careful here as this can develop in to a habit for the child that is hard to break.
It is common for some people with aspergers to be tired all day, then start waking up during the evening. It is easy to confuse your circadian rhythm. It helps a lot to stick to a consistent sleep pattern - at least within an hour, ideally less. On the weekends for example, get up and go to bed at the same time as usual. Melatonin is useful with sleep cycle issues, but is also commonly recommended by doctors as it has been shown to be safe to use regularly long term.
Do you have other ideas or things you have tried? Please comment!
** It is always advisable consult with your doctor or physician before making life or diet changes **