About Our Program:
The Sleep Disorders Clinic provides care for all types of children and young adults with sleep problems. We have special expertise in working with individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities or behavioral disorders because of our background and multidisciplinary approach. The Sleep Disorders Clinic combines medical and behavioral approaches in an outpatient setting for the comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep problems. Sleep problems we evaluate include difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, disruptive sleep-wake schedules, unusual behaviors or movements during sleep, and snoring or disordered breathing. For those who require further evaluation and testing, we also offer our Sleep Laboratory.
Who We Are:
Our clinic is staffed by both a child neurologist and behavioral psychologist experienced in sleep disorders, and offers a comprehensive evaluation and treatment plan.
Who We Serve:
We provide care for all types of children and young adults, and particularly those with neurodevelopmental disabilities or behavioral disorders who also have difficulties with sleep. Sleep problems include:
- Snoring
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- Unusual behaviors or movements during sleep
- Atypical sleep-wake cycles
- Sleep-related breathing disorders
- Disruptive sleep schedules
The range of disorders and disabilities we treat includes:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Cerebral palsy
- Intellectual disability
- Down syndrome
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Epilepsy
- Concussion
Our Team:
Our evaluations and treatment services are provided by a range of experts in the following areas:
- Pediatric neurology with specialization in neurodevelopmental disabilities
- Behavioral psychology with specialization in medical conditions and/or sleep disorders
- Polysomnographic technology and EEG technology
Our Treatment Approach:
Our team evaluates and treats the many factors -- both behavioral and medical -- that can affect sleep. Our approach includes:
- Testing and Evaluation: Every child receives an initial evaluation or consultation that includes a sleep-focused history, physical and neurological examination, as well as a review of relevant records, sleep questionnaires and diaries, and prior sleep studies.
- Recommendations and Referrals: After we identify the areas of sleep difficulty, we may recommend additional testing, such as an overnight sleep study. We will also develop comprehensive medical treatment and behavioral management approaches. For some patients, such as those with ongoing behavioral management needs or sleep-related breathing disorders, we can make referrals to other clinics or programs when needed.
- Follow-Up: We typically recommend clinic follow up to assess the effectiveness of treatment recommendations. It is important that patients who receive medication treatment come back for periodic appointments so that we can monitor and review the effects of any medication.
The Sleep Laboratory:
We offer the following services to children and young adults in a child-friendly setting. We can provide further study and evaluation services.
- Overnight Polysomnogram (PSG): A recording made during sleep to evaluate sleep disorders. If you are a physician or other medical clinician who would like to refer a patient for a PSG recording, please click here to learn more.
- Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT): A nap study used to determine how quickly the child will fall asleep in quiet situations during the day.
- Overnight EEG with Video Monitoring: While this test is offered to children both with and without disabilities, the lab specializes in evaluating children with communication and behavioral issues. If you are a physician or other medical clinician who would like to refer a patient for an EEG recording, please click here to learn more.
