Welcome to the Attention Deficit Disorder Expert Podcast Series by Attitude magazine.

Hi, this is Wayne Callan for Attitude magazine. Today's topic is one that

concerns many parents, sleep solutions for our ADHD children. We are fortunate to have Dr. Lisa Shives a nationally recognized sleep

expert who is on the board of directors of the National Sleep Foundation and Elaine Taylor

Klaus, a professional parent coach who has ADHD herself and his mom to three children with ADHD.

Both Dr. Shives and Elaine Taylor Klaus contribute to ADHD moments.com, a website launched by

Pfizer that supports parents of children with ADHD. Welcome Lisa and Elaine.

Thank you. I thought I'd start by just giving you an overview of this problem of sleep and ADHD.

There's been many research articles over the years and a recent one in the journal,

Sleep showed that when ADHD children have a lack of sleep for any reason.

Their symptoms are much worse.

Their sleep is more disturbed than other children.

They get less sleep.

They also spend less time in REM, which we know is important for memory consolidation.

So we know that good sleep is necessary for judgment and executive function, reaction times.

Just very many cognitive functions depend on a good night's sleep.

Elaine, you want to jump in?

Absolutely. So, yes, you know, as you've identified,

when sleep is this huge challenge for many families and kids with ADHD,

it's really common problem it's complicated and the

problem is that most parents know that it's important and they often feel at a

loss for how to help their kids get this proper night sleep that they want to have, right?

...