ADHD and Sleep
ADHD and Sleep...
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Children who are identified with ADHD symptoms should be examined for sleep problems, according to some experts.
Many of the symptoms for ADHD are actually the same symptoms a child has when suffering from sleep problems.
And some parents may not be aware that their child is having sleep problems.
Common Symptoms of ADHD and Sleep Deprivation
A child who has chronic poor sleep can have difficulty focusing their attention, and they can also have low tolerance for expressing negative emotion; such as irritability, frustration and temper tantrums.
Chronic sleep deprivation can also result in a child having difficulty controlling their impulses and emotions.
These are all symptoms which could mislabel a child when ADHD and sleep is the actual culprit.
Adequate Sleep for Children
Although every child is different in their sleep requirements, it is recommended that toddlers and preschoolers sleep about 12 hours a day, including nap.
School-age children need about 10 hours of sleep per day, and preteens and teens need about 9 hours.
Symptoms of ADHD and sleep deprivation often look the same.
Ensuring your child is getting adequate sleep can improve any child's temperament, mood, attention span and demeanour.
Signs of Too Little Sleep
Because symptoms of sleep deprivation and ADHD symptoms are so similar, it is worth investigating a child's sleep when testing for ADHD.
Sleep experts say to ask yourself if your child...
- Has emotional outbursts
- Seems to perform below her potential
- Has trouble paying attention at school or at home
- Has trouble staying awake or sitting still
- Seems sleepy or irritable during the day.
Sleep Difficulties and ADHD
Sleep difficulties and ADHD often go hand in hand. Many children diagnosed with ADHD have one or more sleep difficulties.
Some people believe that if you treat the sleep difficulty then the ADHD symptoms will improve or disappear.
Some sleep problems associated with ADHD include...
- Sleep apnea
- Snoring
- Night awakenings
- Restless leg syndrome
- Sensory processing deficits... being overly sensitive to light, sound, clothing, blankets etc.
- Motor restlessness.
Sleep Apnea and ADHD
Any child who snores may not be getting adequate sleep.
Sleep apnea is a medical condition where children snore loudly, stop breathing for a few seconds, snort and move around and then resume snoring.
If you suspect that your child may have sleep apnea, speak with your doctor, as sleep apnea has major affects on a child's quality of sleep as well as other medical concerns.
Improving Sleep Deprivation and ADHD
There are treatments for sleep deprivation. The first step is to see your doctor, and determine if there is a problem with your child's sleep.
There are a number of therapies that treat sleep problems.
Children with ADHD often respond well to relaxation techniques practices twice a day. Regular daily exercise is also important for a child with sleep problems.
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