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You whisper, “Sleep well, honey,” as you shut off the light. You close the bedroom door, and head off to your easy chair. And your child sleeps soundly through the night, waking up refreshed the next morning. For many of us with children who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADD), this scenario is a dream that hasn’t come true -- yet.
A good night's sleep is vital to your child’s mood and brain function. Studies show that not getting enough rest can worsen ADD/ADHD symptoms, leading to loss of emotional control. It can also adversely affect working memory, a problem many of our children suffer from.
What to do? Try some of these tips, all of which I have used successfully with my own children, one of whom has ADD/ADHD. These strategies got me -- and them -- through the night.
Next: How to Eat, Drink, and Exercise Right for a Good Night's Sleep
This article appears in the Summer 2010 issue of ADDitude.
To read this issue of ADDitude in full, buy the back issue.
