Paper On Childhood Sleeping Disorders

Sleep deprivation can negatively effective children both mentally and physically. The definition of a childhood sleeping disorder is any of a number of physical or mental problems that disrupt a child's sleep. Children who suffer from sleeping problems either sleep very little or don't sleep at all. They may sleep but not soundly. Children may attempt to avoid sleeping, wake up several times a night, or have problems that prevent them sleeping well or at all. Dealing with sleeping issues can be crucial to a child's health.

Recent studies have determined that two out of every 10 children suffer from significant sleeping issues. These statistics do not include children who suffer from mild or occasional sleep problems. Other studies point out that roughly 69% of parents are concerned with their child=s sleeping behaviors. There are more than 80 types of sleeping disorders, according to the International Classification of Sleep Disorders. Children may suffer from any number of these disorders. Because of these problems an important concern for many parents is the quality of their children's sleep.

Parents know that sleep deprived children are more moody, impulsive, and have difficulties focusing or concentrating. According to The Journal of Experimental Psychology, "We've known for more than 20 years that sleep deprivation makes it difficult to learn." (Journal of Experimental Psychology, Mar 1975).

However, there can be more serious consequences. Recent studies link Attention Deficit Disorder, hyperactivity disorders, emotional disturbances and low IQ to sleeping disorders along with a host of other negative physical and mental effects.

But childhood sleeping disorders do not only affect the child. Generally speaking, the whole family suffers from the stress of dealing with their child's sleeping problem. More often than not, this is because everyone’s sleeping patterns are negatively affected. Parents who suffer from sleep depravation can suffer, more or less, the same adverse effects as children.

Effectively dealing with sleeping disorders can be very daunting. The most serious issues such as sleep apnea are usually physiologically based and could involve any number of serious interventions such as drugs or surgery. Milder sleeping issues such as secondary sleep disturbances or disorders of initiating or maintaining sleep can be helped by developing a predictable bedtime routine, such as a story, a song, a drink or a back rub. Using it consistently is helpful. The onset of the routine can be gradually moved earlier and earlier in the evening until the child is going to bed at the desired time (American Family Physician, Jan.2001).

We now know that a bedtime routine with a song or story is very helpful with milder sleeping issues. It makes sense than that a bedtime routine along with a bedtime story designed to help children fall asleep may produce better results in children with sleeping disorders.

Bill Storey, the author of this article and a retired special education, has, with his daughter Hallie, created a storybook and CD that enables many parents to solve the trauma of the "I can’t sleep" standoff. "Journey Into Dreamland" is available at Amazon.com. Permission to reprint this article is granted as long as the entire article with references to the "Journey Into Dreamland book" are included. Contact Bill Storey at bstorey@clearwire.net for more information.

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