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 Challengesby 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
