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Fifteen-minute consultation: Managing sleep problems in children and young people with ADHD
  1. Sally Hobson1,
  2. Max Davie1,
  3. Michael Farquhar2
  1. 1 Community Paediatrics, Mary Sheridan Centre, Evelina London Children’s Hospital, London, UK
  2. 2 Children’s Sleep Medicine, Evelina London Children’s Hospital, London, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Sally Hobson, Community Paediatrics, Mary Sheridan Centre, Evelina London Children’s Hospital, London, UK; Sally.Hobson{at}gstt.nhs.uk

Abstract

Sleep difficulties are common in children and young people presenting with features of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Sleep problems may be both an effect of and a contributor to ADHD symptomatology, as well as having a significant impact on both individual and family functioning and well-being. There are often complex interacting contributing factors. Assessment of children presenting with symptoms suggestive of possible ADHD should include routine enquiry about sleep. Ongoing management of children with diagnosed ADHD should include regular reassessment and review of sleep. When sleep difficulties are present, we discuss how to further assess these, including the role of investigations, and a structured management strategy.

  • adolescent health
  • comm child health
  • sleep
  • general paediatrics
  • adhd

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Footnotes

  • Contributors SH drafted the article and compiled the tables and boxes. MD assisted with the literature search. MF and MD provided advice and editing. SH, MD and MF contributed equally to initial discussion and planning of the article, including structural framework, and agreed significant points of content. SH acted as the lead author, with substantial contribution from MD. MF revised and redrafted the manuscript. All authors contributed to the final review and redrafting of the completed article, and agreed for final co-approval.

  • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Provenance and peer review Commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

  • Patient consent for publication Not required.