Do you have a child who is being treated for ADHD but might have a sleep disorder? You might have just dismissed the thought (or the connection between ADHD and sleep disorders), but many people who I’ve met or worked with over the years have never heard of the connection with ADHD and sleep disorders, most commonly sleep apnea.
In this episode of the Myo Minute, I’m going to be talking about the connections between ADHD and sleep disorders.
When it comes to ADHD and sleep disorders, I’m often asked how I’m seeing this in my practice. I have worked with what some would call some “very naughty children” but I knew right from the start that there was something else going on.
To prepare for this, I did some research. I quote the following information in the episode, but wanted to make sure the links were here if you wanted some further reading material.
The first pubmed article I pulled up said “Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is commonly associated with disordered or disturbed sleep. “
The second article…So what is ADHD?
Most of us know this, but just to make sure Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that has been estimated to affect approximately 5.3 % of children and adolescents worldwide
Ok, so what do you do if you’re feeling a bit of a tug at your heart? Am I talking about your kiddo or you (about 2/3 of ADHD symptoms and diagnosis follow people into adulthood)? I meet tons of adults who are being medicated for ADHD. I think it warrants a deeper conversation with me.
Start with reading some more information on sleep disordered breathing, and then get your exam scheduled. That is the very best place to start! From there, we will determine who and what is needed to get you or your kiddo on a better path to optimum wellness!
Meet Carmen Woodland
I found this path of passion years ago as a dental hygienist. After a stint in graduate school to earn my M.B.A., I decided that I needed to pivot. My heart was no longer in scraping teeth, but making a much bigger impact on lives touched by myofunctional impairment.
My story is personal and close to home. My sweet granddaughter was passed back and forth amongst doctors and therapists for years trying to figure out her speech, breathing, sleep, chewing and swallowing issues. It wasn’t until I completed more training that I knew her problem was a significant tongue-tie. Bingo.
Fast forward to now. I’m a crusader. A warrior. A voice for those who can’t find theirs, or who don’t have one.
I left clinical hygiene practice to start Integrative Myofunctional Therapy. It has evolved from a way to make a living, into an obsession!
I see clients all over the world and provide innovative, virtual therapy in the remotest of places.
In addition, I also
- Teach other dental hygienists, speech therapists & dentists how to become myofunctional therapists through the Myofunctional Therapy Training Acadedmy.
- Coach dental offices on how to implement myofunctional screening into the daily practice
- Speak in various settings
I’m an airway provider for the Foundation of Airway Health, where I work diligently for the recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of airway-related disorders.
And last but not least, I’m a proud member of several professional associations that afford me the opportunity to learn so that I can help you. My professional memberships include: