It seems as though ADHD in children is rising at an exponential rate (the Centers for Disease Control puts the current number at almost 10% of all children aged between 5 and 17 years of age) – but one sleep expert feels that the majority of the 5 million+ children in the US taking medication for ADHD could be suffering from a completely different condition: sleep deprivation.
Dr Lisa Shives argues that the symptoms of sleep deprivation and ADHD are too similar to ignore, and that sleep testing should be performed on all children suspected of having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Let’s make one thing clear – nobody is arguing that medical diagnoses of ADHD should be ignored or questioned. However, if your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, it could well be worth investigating your child’s sleeping habits. Just one extra hour of sleep can have dramatic positive effects.
Source: Sleep Better
As always, there's more information and advice in our insomnia support forum.