A British study has shown that of children with Attention Deficit Hyper Disorder (ADHD) are three times more likely to have difficulty staying asleep. This transfers to parents getting less than six hours of sleep every night. This makes both groups cranky, impatient, and sluggish. There’s a scientific reason why those with ADHD sleepless. The part of the brain that regulates sleep is the same that controls attention.
Sleep issues go hand in hand with ADHD.
There are tips for those struggling with sleep issues. One tip is to avoid sleeping pills because they result in premature wake-up. It is also recommended to exercise during the day for better quality sleep later. You should stick to bedtimes and nightly rituals. Don’t eat or drink three hours before bedtime. Keep a bedroom dark to avoid distractions. Relaxation techniques and comfortable clothes can improve sleep. Stress to your child to stay in bed until it’s ingrained in them.
Adults usually become sluggish when tired while children tend to overcompensate and speed up. For this reason, sleep deprivation is sometimes confused with ADHD in children.
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
Key takeaways
- Studies show that children with ADHD have problems falling asleep and that their parents get less sleep than average.
- While sleeping less is often a feature of ADHD, there are ways to get your child with ADHD to adopt a normal sleeping schedule.
- Read on for tips to help improve the sleep of everyone in your household.
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