Sleep disorders in children affect a child’s sleep at night, his/her daytime behavior, and the overall well-being of the entire family.

Symptoms of insufficient sleep in children and adolescents may include: mood disturbances, fatigue and daytime sleepiness, cognitive impairment, behavior problems, hyperactivity, dozing off at inappropriate times, risk-taking behaviors, and academic problems. Other common concerns that family members may notice are loud snoring, inattention, insomnia, bedwetting and other unusual behaviors at night. Sleepy children can paradoxically show symptoms of hyperactivity and not sleepiness, since children and adults behave differently when sleepy. Adults usually become sluggish, while children tend to overcompensate and speed up.

According to the National Sleep Foundationthere is strong evidence that children with poor quality and insufficient sleep have symptoms that are very often similar to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In particular, children with sleep disordered breathing, such as obstructive sleep apnea and children with restless legs syndrome, often exhibit these symptoms.

One study found that treating sleep problems may be enough to eliminate attention and hyperactivity issues for some children. Therefore, prior to any new diagnosis of ADHD, Pavilion Sleep Center strongly encourages that your child undergo sleep study testing, especially before medications are considered.

Pavilion Sleep Center completes comprehensive sleep evaluations of children ages 2 through 18. A sleep study, other tests, and/or follow-up visits may be recommended.

Some of the conditions we evaluate and treat include:

Obstructive sleep apnea — Snoring, noisy breathing

Sleeplessness —Problems getting to sleep, resisting bed- time, irregular sleep patterns

Sleep schedule abnormalities — Long naps with short nighttime sleep. In teenagers, staying awake for long hours at night and sleeping late into the day

Narcolepsy and other disorders of excessive daytime sleepiness —Combined with moodiness, hyperactivity, difficulty concentrating and learning

Parasomnias (unusual activities during sleep) —Sleepwalking and sleep talking, confusional arousals and sleep terrors, teeth grinding (bruxism), bedwetting, periodic limb movements in sleep

Restless Legs Syndrome — Unpleasant feelings, restlessness in legs during the evening or at bedtime, relieved by activity, worsened by resting