![]() Pediatric sleep psychologists have several validated tools for assessing sleep problems. On top of the emotional, cognitive, behavioral and physical toll of sleep deprivation, a child’s sleep problems can disrupt family life and daily routines and prove difficult for parents to manage, sometimes resulting in marital conflict and strained parent-child interactions, Amble says. In adolescents, insufficient sleep has been linked to internalizing problems such as depressive symptoms, irritability and even suicidal thoughts and actions (Peltz, J.S., et al., Sleep, Vol. Some researchers have also suggested that chronic sleep deprivation during childhood can increase a person’s risk of developing anxiety and depressive disorders later in life (Palmer, C.A., & Alfano, C.A., Sleep Medicine Reviews, Vol. More severe consequences of sleep deprivation include increased risk-taking behavior and a higher risk of accidental injuries. Research has also found that children prone to parasomnias-a group of disorders that includes sleepwalking and sleep terrors-are more likely to experience these disturbances when sleep deprived (Bollu, P.C., et al., Missouri Medicine, Vol. And a prospective study of more than 1,000 children found that those who lacked sufficient sleep during early childhood had more social and behavioral problems at age 7 (Taveras, E.M., et al., Academic Pediatrics, Vol. Like children with ADHD, those who are consistently sleep deprived may show cognitive deficits such as poor memory and problem-solving abilities, as well as lowered academic performance. These kids often struggle to settle down, concentrate and listen to directions. In school-age children, lack of sleep can mimic symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). “With kids, you tend to see more irritability, grouchiness and emotional dysregulation.” “When adults are tired, it’s pretty obvious-we’re yawning all day, we want to sleep, we’re dragging,” Walsh says. Sleep-deprived children can also suffer from mood disturbances and problems with emotion regulation. Insufficient sleep can severely impair a child’s functioning, causing daytime fatigue, poor health and weaker immune function. Everything from light exposure to mealtimes can influence circadian rhythms and the release of hormones such as melatonin, and ultimately affect sleep. But research shows that maintaining a regular sleep-wake schedule is a part of good sleep hygiene regardless of age. The ideal amount of sleep for healthy functioning differs from one child to the next (see page 39). “We have behavioral interventions that are effective for addressing these sleep challenges and can make a great difference in a child and family’s overall functioning,” says Terese Amble, PsyD, a pediatric sleep psychologist at Children’s Minnesota Hospital in St. Fortunately, psychologists have a number of evidence-based interventions that can help. But among younger children, behavioral challenges that crop up around bedtime, such as “curtain calls”-when a child repeatedly gets out of bed-are often part of the problem, and can be so distressing for families that they seek advice from a psychologist. ![]() “Sleep is so important for children, but parents are often not aware of the amount of sleep their child needs and may not even recognize it as a problem,” says behavioral sleep psychologist Kate Lyn Walsh, PsyD, an assistant professor of clinical pediatrics at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.Īmong older children and teens, packed school and extracurricular activity schedules and early school start times often contribute to the sleep deficit. And fewer than one-third of adolescents are getting enough sleep, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey (Wheaton, A.G., et al., Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Vol. In children, it’s also critical for developing healthy cognitive, behavioral and physical functioning.īut up to 30% of children ages 2 to 5 and 15% of school-age children have trouble falling asleep or sleeping through the night on a regular basis (“ Children and Sleep,” National Sleep Foundation, 2004). In adults, sleep is key for memory consolidation, mood regulation and general well-being. Understand how behavioral treatment strategies can be used to improve bedtime problems and night wakings in young children and address insomnia and delayed sleep-wake phase disorder in school-age children and adolescents.įor more information on earning CE credit for this article, go to CE Corner.List several objective and self-report methods to assess pediatric sleep.Describe normal sleep in children across development, consequences of poor sleep and common sleep disorders in pediatric populations.Learning objectives: After reading this article, CE candidates will be able to:
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