Does My Child Have a Sleeping Disorder?

Instead of turning to medications, which have not been well researched in terms of safety with children, experts suggest examining the possible causes of your child’s sleep disorder with your pediatrician or a sleep specialist There are many reasons your child might not sleep well. Many are behavioral in nature, such as bedtime resistance, inadequate sleep time, a sleep-onset association disorder, or resistance to setting limits. Physiological causes include asthma, pain, developmental delay, ADD and ADHD.² A sleep disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea can also be a cause of significant sleep problems. Sleep disorders have been associated with problems in school such as poor attention, anxiety, and aggressive behavior. A physician or sleep specialist can almost always identify the cause of a child’s sleeping problems. The medical history and physical examination provide much of the information needed to make a diagnosis and recommend treatment options. If the child’s main problem is insomnia or frequent night wakeups, the cause may be a sleep-onset association disorder. This type of disorder occurs when the child associates a certain action such as rocking or feeding with falling asleep, and that action has been changed or removed. In these cases, putting the child to bed awake and gradually teaching him to self-soothe usually solves the problem. Children that resist going to bed or try to avoid it by asking for water, stories, or company usually need firm bedtimes and consistent responses from their parents.

If the above situations don’t fit your child, or if behavioral treatment strategies don’t work, physical causes should be considered. If your child snores or is overweight, he or she should be screened for obstructive sleep apnea. Your physician may refer you to a sleep specialist for a polysomnography test, in which your child’s sleep is monitored in a special sleep laboratory, with you present. Sleep apnea is associated with a host of behavioral and physical problems, but effective treatment is available. Dr. Avi, Director of Aviisha Medical Wellness Institute says, “Symptoms of sleep problems in children should not be ignored in the hopes that they will simply grow out of it. Most sleep problems can be quickly and effectively treated, which will improve quality of life for the whole family." So take note of the signs of sleeping problems: insufficient sleep, bedtime resistance, frequent awakenings, and snoring or difficulty in breathing while sleeping. Discuss them with your doctor or a sleep specialist, and you can look forward to better days and nights for you and your child"

1 Owens J. Classification and epidemiology of childhood sleep disorders. Prim Care. 2008;35:533-546, vii.

2 Heussler H. 9. Common causes of sleep disruption and daytime sleepiness: childhood sleep disorders II. Med J Aust. 2005;182:484-489.