Sleep Disorders in Children and Adolescents

Regular amounts of sleep are vital to your child's health, happiness, social life, and success in school. An on-going disruption in your child's sleep pattern may disturb the quality of your child's life.

If your child exhibits one or more of the following symptoms, you should seek the advice of a trusted physician:

• Snores
• Makes other noises during sleep
• Is sleepier than expected during the daytime
• Has trouble falling asleep
• Has trouble staying asleep
• Wets the bed (past the age of 5)
• Has trouble falling asleep due to leg discomfort
• Sleepwalks excessively
• Has frequent sleep terrors
• Exhibits sudden behavioral problems at school or at home
• Shows signs of memory dysfunction or a lack of concentration
• Grinds teeth during sleep
• Moves excessively during sleep
• Has a craniofacial abnormality that may contribute to difficulty breathing during sleep

Studies show that one or more of these symptoms can indicate a sleep disturbance. Even simple snoring has been shown to decrease a child's performance and attentiveness at school. We can determine whether your child's sleep patterns and habits fall within the normal range.

Not all children require a sleep study to determine the need for treatment, and not all treatments involve medication. Even if you suspect that your child’s problem may be behavioral, you should speak with your child's physician to ensure proper evaluation.