Does anyone have any experience with sleep apnea being diagnosed for ADHD?? My four year old just got kicked out of day care last week and the director told us he needs professional help and medication. I have done some research and feel it may be sleep apnea. Can anyone advise?
ADHD vs Sleep apnea
Hi Kelly and welcome,
Firstly, what do you actually mean by sleep apnea? ‘Snoring’, or the ‘cessation of breathing, during sleep’?
Re: ADHD vs Sleep apnea
I agree with scifinut. I think you need to speak with your child’s doctor. You child could have sleep apnea AND ADHD. Only a full evaluation of both will help you decide what to do. It could also be something else entirely. It warrants a trip to the pediatritian.
My son would stop breathing at night. After surgery to remove is absolutely huge adenoids and tonsils, he was no longer sick, less cranky, and less frustrated. He is still impulsive, inattentive, distracted with memory problems.
Re: ADHD vs Sleep apnea
I would get your child evaluated by an pediatric ENT specialist. My son would snore at night and had terrible sinus infections. After another parent told me about her son, I informed my doctor and he told me not to be concern. I went for a second opinion with and ENT and he looked at the x-rays and told me my son and huge adenoids and tonsils. Once he had surgery, he was much better. Lack of sleep makes a cranky child.
Sleep apnea can cause behavior and attention problems that mimic ADHD symptoms. The only way to tell for sure is to get him appropriately diagnosed.