ADHD and Blue Light Syndrome: Changing Sleep is Key to Changing Success at Home and at School

Each year billions of dollars are spent in the US trying to improve the experience of children with ADHD and their parents. But one of the simplest and most effective ADHD interventions is often neglected. One in ten American children aged 5–17 years has been diagnosed with ADHD, with boys more than twice as likely to be diagnosed as girls. The hyperactivity, impulsiveness and attention problems can be quite disruptive to the kids, their homes, and their classrooms. The great majority of children diagnosed with ADHD are treated with prescription medications. It’s not clear that this is a great long-term solution, with potential unintended effects on young children as well as decreasing benefit over time. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends, and I agree, that before prescribing prescription medication, parents of young children with ADHD be referred for training in behavior therapy. But only about half of children with ADHD receive psychological services. The recommended first treatment for ADHD is underused. Sleep May be the Most Underused ADHD Treatment Sleep quality and ADHD are tightly linked: Poor sleep can mimic ADHD. Some children display all of the impulsiveness and poor attention of ADHD, and are diagnosed, when the real problem is that they are not well rested. Poor sleep can make true ADHD worse. For these kids, improving sleep can decrease hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention, reducing the need for medication. Getting sleep right should make o...
Source: Conversations with Dr Greene - Category: Child Development Authors: Tags: Dr. Greene's Blog Uncategorized ADHD ADHD & Sleep Source Type: blogs