Is less sleep required

[jam1959]

I would like feedback from parents and those with ADHD. Do people with ADHD need less sleep? My 12 year old daughter is easier to wake up if she goes to bed around 12:00 or 12;30 than if she goes to sleep at 9:30 or 10:00. Thanks!

[Birdwatcher19]

No, but they may tell you they do. I know my teen does. 🙂 Everyone needs 7-9 hours of sleep to function optimally (a 12-year-old needs more like 9-10). Of course, the key word is optimally; certainly we can get by on less. General rule of thumb, per my psychiatrist: If you are waking up without an alarm and feeling well-rested, then you are probably getting enough sleep. It’s easier to wake up at the conclusion of a sleep cycle (usually around 90 minutes), so that may be playing a role here, rather than the total amount of sleep. (More on sleep cycles here: sleepcycle.com/sleep-scienc...

[Klmamma]

Lol I have ADHD and while we do seem able to appear like we can function on little sleep due to our hyperactivity, and truly can for a few days, it majorly comes back to bite me in the ass.

When I get overly tired, I cannot manage my emotions, my focus, my frustration tolerance, or get past my "can't get motivated to do tasks I don't want" attitude. My son is 6.5 and needs 11 hours of sleep to be at his best. I need 8 optimally. Try and make sure you have a good morning routine and make something for her to look forward to getting up for. Hype up breakfast, maybe allow a 30 minute show etc. Something to look forward to dragging herself out of bed for bc that's whst every morning feels like lol

There is also, and this has always been true, nothing I hate more than being woken up in the morning. If I wake up naturally, I'm fine. But wake me up and it's like releasing the Cracken.

[PhoenixRising36]

Children with or without ADHD should be sleeping a certain amount each night, just like adults with or without should do. Pediatricians/experts recommend child aged 6-12yrs to sleep 9-12hrs every night, and teenagers 13yr+ 8-10hrs every night. Our brains need sleep, especially overactive brains like our ADHD babies. Check out ADDitudeMag.com, they are a lifesaver for everything ADHD and their experts are amazing, found so many free webinars to help me learn about sleep and discipline and success in school and dealing with challenging behaviors. I hope it helps. What helps immensely is having a morning routine and bedtime routine, and having your kiddos input about what they feel works best for them or any preferences to their routine, so you work on the routine together.

[Klmamma]

My son and I both have morning Checklist that we have to get done before he can watch tv and before I can have a dr pepper. That keeps us motivated most days.

[Deenice]

No they need just as much sleep maybe more than the average child. However, they do have sleep issues. My 10 yr old daughter falls asleep fine on her own but never fails to get up at least once sometimes twice a night. I also give her 3 mgs melatonin (Olly Sleep) every night. ADHD’ers also tend to need to quench their thirst especially at night. She keeps a bottle of water on her nightstand. Hope this helps.

[RCJH8610]

No. Everyone needs sleep and especially those with ADHD because lack of sleep can exacerbate ADHD symptoms of emotional disregulation, inattentiveness, and irritability.

[Nats2005]

My 5.5-year old son sleeps about 11.5 hours a night, which is in the range for his age (10-12 hours IIRC). Goes to bed around 7:30pm, wakes up around 7:00am. Which works nicely for school days, not so good for us on the weekend. (We tend to go to bed around 11pm).

We did start giving our son 1mg of melatonin a month or so ago. Has made a huge difference getting him to settle down at night. I am almost ready to try leaving the "door monkey" (plastic latch) off his door that we've been using for a couple of years so he doesn't pop out of his room 30 times before falling asleep.