Types of Sleep Disorders in Children

Sleep is an essential ingredient in good health, and it抯 distressing to know that sleep disorders in children frequently occur. It抯 estimated that up to 30% of children will have some type of sleep disorder at some point during their childhood.

Poor sleep can impact a child抯 mental health, performance in school and general disposition. In this article we抣l discuss a few of the types of sleep disorders suffered by children, how diagnosis is typically done and when to seek help. Good sleep is a vital part of childhood development and it is important to be able to recognize the warning signs of a sleep disorder.

Types of Sleep Disorders in Children

There are several types of sleep problems that can impact children, the most common of which are:

Night terrors occur mostly with children who are 4 to 8 years of age and are exhibited by emotional outbursts and movement during a partially awake state. Children typically have no memory of the outburst once awake. With night terrors, it抯 important to make sure the child is comfortable and safe, but do not wake a child experiencing them.

Sleep walking occurs mostly with children who are 8 to 12 years old. Most often a child experiencing sleep walking will sit up with eyes open and walk around the house (and sometimes outdoors). Speech is likely to be mumbled or otherwise unclear. Most children outgrow sleep walking by their teenage years.

Bed wetting can be a result of a new stressor or it can be a result of a small bladder or a developmental lag. Positive reinforcement, tools such as bed wetting alarms and possibly medication can assist.

Sleep-onset anxiety occurs in some children. For some reason kids experience a great deal of worries or anxiety which can cause trouble falling asleep at night. Calming routines at bedtime can help reassure children and may help.

Diagnosing Sleep Problems

Most sleep disorders suffered by children are diagnosed by a sleep specialist or a pediatrician. Many parents begin by visiting their pediatrician or family doctor, however some doctors do not understand the severity of the kinds of sleep problems that children may experience. After seeing your doctor, if you still are concerned, it can be important to schedule an appointment with a sleep specialist.

When to Get Help

If you become concerned about your child抯 sleep habits, it抯 a good idea to seek help. One or two nightmares is one thing, but a continual pattern of poor sleep is something a doctor should be consulted about.