The Sandman Method: A Standardized Clinical Protocol for Managing Limit-Setting Type Behavioral Insomnia in Children Over 3 Years of Age

Behavioral insomnia of the limit-setting type is very common. It is characterized by delayed sleep onset due to oppositional behavior at bedtime and the child's dependence on parental presence to fall asleep. This condition reduces the child's total sleep time, increases daytime irritability, and lowers frustration tolerance. It also leads to parental exhaustion, as parents are deprived of their evening time and are frequently required to wake during the night. This article presents a standardized clinical protocol for children over 3 years of age, incorporating a token economy system, reinforcement strategies, and the use of a symbolic mediator.