patient story

Patient name: Asher Cain 

Age: 8-years-old 

Condition: Angelman syndrome  

Seen in: sleep medicine 

Provider: Dr. Dzodzomenyo, Dr. Woessner 

Eight-year-old Asher has an infectious smile and laugh that fills any room he is in. Whether jamming to Megan Trainor on the radio or blowing bubbles, you are sure to see Asher’s beautiful smile. As joyful as Asher is, you’d never know that he suffers from Angelman syndrome. Angelman syndrome is a genetic condition that can cause neurological and developmental problems.  

When Asher was just a year old, his mom, Billi, noticed that his development seemed delayed, and he wasn’t progressing like other kids his age. After a visit with a neurologist and genetics provider at Dayton Children’s, it was determined that Asher had Angelman syndrome. This condition can cause trouble with speech and walking, and for Asher especially, problems sleeping.  

At a very young age, Asher had extreme difficulties sleeping. “He would sleep for an hour or two, wake up to play for an hour or two, sleep for another hour or two, and just repeat the cycle all night,” says Asher’s mom, Billi. Asher also never napped during the day. Eventually, Ashers parents figured out ways to entertain Asher through the night like listening to music. And although it seemed like things were getting better, Billi was still getting up throughout the night to try and help Asher back to sleep. At first, Asher was prescribed Melatonin to help him sleep at night. 

As a mom, Billi was struggling because she was getting up with Asher all night long, so she decided to reach out for help.  

Asher saw Dr. Dzodzomenyo, pediatric sleep medicine specialist at Dayton Children’s, and Dr. Woessner, pediatric sleep psychologist at Dayton Children’s, who helped Asher and Billi figure out ways to change behaviors and habits to get Asher sleeping better.  

“What we thought was helping Asher through the night, was actually aiding in his difficulties sleeping,” says Billi. “The white light from the television playing music was affecting his sleep patterns. And if Asher was listening to music to fall asleep, but then waking up to no music that was affecting his ability to fall back to sleep on his own because the environment had changed.” 

Dr. Dzodzomenyo and Dr. Woessner suggested ways to tweak Asher’s sleeping environment to help Asher, and Billi, get better sleep at night.  

what matters most to the Cain family

“Although Asher still wakes up through the night, and he probably always will because of his condition, we’ve found ways that he can soothe himself back to sleep on his own,” shares Billi. “I am no longer getting up through the night which has been a tremendous change.”  

Asher has made great strides with his sleep behaviors and is completely weaned off the Melatonin thanks to the support and guidance that he has received from Dr. Dzodzomenyo and Dr. Woessner.