ADHD and Sleep Disorders
Interest in the link between ADHD and sleep has grown over the last couple of years. Back in June, Myomancy covered Snoring, Sleep and Hyperactivity which demonstrated a correlation between snoring and hyperactivity. In Israel they have now taken that research further.
Thirty four ADHD children were studied and compared to 32 non-ADHD children. Each child spent a night a sleep in the centre where they were filmed and monitored by numerous pieces of equipment. Next day they received a multiple sleep latency test to assess how rested they are.
The researched found that twice as many of the ADHD chidren suffered from some degree of sleep-disordered breathing (such as sleep apnea, which is characterized by interruptions in breathing during sleep that last 10 seconds or more, at least five times per hour). About one sixth of the ADHD children also had Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (also known as nocturnal myoclonus) where the patient moves involuntarily during sleep. It can range from a small amount in the ankles and toes to wild flailing of all four limbs. This disorder is rare in children and none of the control group suffered from this problem.
It is important to remember that this is a correlational study that does not establish cause or effect. We do not know if sleep problems cause ADHD or ADHD causes sleep problems.
Study Abstract: Sleep disorders and daytime sleepiness in children with attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder
Coverage from Israel21c: Children with ADHD may need sleep, Israeli study finds
Find Out More:
Books:
- Teenagers With ADD: A Parents’ Guide (The Special-Needs Collection)
- Teenagers With ADD: A Parents’ Guide (The Special-Needs Collection)
- My Backward Life with Dyslexia
- Learning Disabilities:: How to Recognize and Manage Learning and Behavioral Problems in Children
- Beyond Ritalin: Facts About Medication and Other Strategies for Helping Children, Adolescents, and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorders
November 2nd, 2005
ADD / ADHD, Science
Leave a Reply