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Sleep in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities pp 17–25Cite as

Evaluation of Sleep Problems in Children

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Abstract

Sleep disturbances in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities are very common. While sleep problems in these children are usually not significantly different compared to those of typically developing children, they are often more chronic and severe, more challenging to treat, and more than one type of sleep disturbance is common. Due to the high prevalence of sleep disturbances in this population, it is important for clinicians to systematically screen for sleep problems and to perform a thorough sleep evaluation once problems are identified. This evaluation should be based on a very detailed sleep history, including a comprehensive description of the presenting complaint(s), sleep schedules and sleep habits, as well as daytime sleepiness and behavioral issues and/or mood changes related to sleep. The evaluation should include a medical history, developmental/school history, family history, psychosocial history, behavioral assessment, and physical examination. The clinician should be familiar with the appropriate indications for and interpretation of sleep diagnostic tools, such as sleep diaries, overnight polysomnogram, multiple sleep latency test, and actigraphy.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    While this term is used interchangeably for the purposes of this review with sleep disturbances, problems, issues, etc., it should be noted that sleep disorders are typically defined by specific diagnostic criteria as found in the American Academy of Sleep Medicine International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD), 3rd edition, or the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) V.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sleep Medicine, Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Judith Anne Owens

  2. Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Children’s National Health System, Washington, DC, USA

    Miriam Rachel Weiss

Authors
  1. Judith Anne Owens
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  2. Miriam Rachel Weiss
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Correspondence to Judith Anne Owens .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA

    Jennifer A. Accardo

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Owens, J.A., Weiss, M.R. (2019). Evaluation of Sleep Problems in Children. In: Accardo, J. (eds) Sleep in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98414-8_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98414-8_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-98412-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-98414-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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