My child won't sleep! Recognising and managing sleep disorders in children and young people

Abstract

Anecdotally sleep takes up a third of a person's life, however, for many Children and Young People (CYP), it can feel like a good night's sleep is elusive. The refrain “my child won't sleep” is common in both general practitioner and paediatric clinics and it can feel overwhelming for both parents, carers, and professionals. With over 70 sleep disorders, differentiation and treatment options can feel confusing. This article focuses on circadian rhythm disorders, insomnia, parasomnia, and sleep related movement disorders providing an outline of these conditions and giving treatment advice. We will discuss the importance of utilizing behavioural interventions as a first line treatment, with pharmacological interventions used to support behavioural interventions, or in cases where behavioural intervention alone has not been effective. In all cases of children who struggle to sleep, it is important that treatment decisions are made on a case by case basis, allowing for individual needs, and neurodiversity. With appropriate, individualized support nearly all CYP can sleep well.