There is a great deal of recent research into sleep disorders like snoring, sleep apnea, and other breathing problems during sleep in children that can affect health, development, and growth, as well as complicate existing conditions that already challenge children with special needs.

Here are some resources to explore if your child has symptoms of a sleep disorder like apnea, sleep-disordered breathing, nightmares; or other problems, including reflux, that change the quality or length of time of their sleep.

Many children, who do not otherwise have special needs, may experience sleep disturbances or develop sleep problems temporarily while adapting to unexpected changes or after traumatic events. Some may be related to developmental stages, allergies, reactions to medications, or even something as simple as the timing of their vitamin supplements.

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - Children's Sleep Problems

American Academy of Family Physicians - Nightmares and Disorders of Dreaming

American Sleep Apnea Association

What is Sleep Apnea? - Stanford
Information and Resources

Childhood Sleep Apnea

Reducing the Risk of SIDS

Medline Plus Sleep Disorders Links

Strong Predictors Found for Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Children - Children with frequent loud snoring, learning problems, or excessive daytime sleepiness are more likely to have sleep-disordered breathing (SDB)

American Academy of Sleep Medicine - Sleep Disorders and Your Child
Breathing Problems During Sleep May Affect Mental Development in Infants and Young Children - Two new studies show that children who have problems breathing during sleep tend to score lower on tests of mental development and intelligence than do other children their age

Infant Reflux and Pediatric GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux, apnea and respiratory phenomena in infants

Awake In America Operation Restore CPAPfor individuals with sleep apnea who cannot afford to replace equipment lost in the Gulf Coast devastation
http://www.AwakeInAmerica.org/Katrina/

Preemies and Babies

Preemies Sleep Habits

Caffeine versus theophylline for apnea in preterm infants

Gastric ulcer presenting as gastroesophageal reflux and apnea in a term neonate

Newborn Sleep Habits and Sleeping Positions - SIDS researchers recommend newborns sleep on their backs

Somnoplasty.com Frequently Asked Questions about Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Down Syndrome

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and DS by Dr. Len Leshin, MD, FAAP

Emily Kingsley Talks about Sleep Apnea

Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) and Down Syndrome

Sleep Neurophysiopathology in Down Syndrome

Diabetes

Sleep Disordered Breathing, Insulin Resistance Linked

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment Shown to Improve Insulin Sensitivity

Cancer

Sleep Disorders and Issues with Cancer

Bella Special Needs Children Articles:
Diabetes (T1D) Information for Classmates
Soothing Children's Fears
Reflux, Pediatric GERD, Infant GER and EER
Childhood Seizures

To read or participate in online discussions of this topic, check out our SNC bulletin board

Mental Wellness in Teens and Adults with Down Syndrome A Guide to Emotional and Behavioral Strengths and Challenges
by Dennis McGuire and Brian Chicoine

Books on helping children sleep can be found at your local library, book store or online, and there are many products available from stores and catalogs. Here are some from amazon.com -

Helping Children Sleep

Sleep Disorders and Children

Products for Babies - Sleep

Diapers and Diapering Products

Underjams for Boys and Girls

Attends Underwear and Pads

Prevail Breezers Absorbant Briefs and Pads

Abriform Absorbant Briefs

Tranquility Absorbant Fitted Briefs