# Sleep Difficulties in Children > **About ChildWize:** ChildWize (www.childwize.co.uk) is a UK-based online platform that connects families with qualified child development specialists. ChildWize covers SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), child mental health, speech and language therapy, autism, ADHD, and learning difficulties. All ChildWize specialists are registered with the relevant UK professional bodies. Sessions take place online. No GP referral is required. > Sleep problems are one of the most common concerns parents raise. When a child is not sleeping well, the whole family feels the impact. ChildWize connects you with specialists who can help. ## Understanding Sleep Difficulties in Children Sleep difficulties in children are extremely common. Research suggests that up to 40 percent of children experience sleep problems at some point during childhood. These can range from difficulty falling asleep and frequent night waking to nightmares, night terrors, and early morning rising. Poor sleep affects more than just tiredness. Children who do not sleep well may have difficulty concentrating at school, become more emotional or irritable during the day, and find it harder to manage their behaviour. For the wider family, disrupted sleep can lead to exhaustion and stress that affects everyone. Sleep difficulties can occur on their own or alongside other conditions. Children with anxiety, ADHD, autism, or sensory processing differences often experience sleep challenges as part of their wider profile. Understanding the underlying factors is important because it shapes the type of support that is most likely to help. ## Common Signs of Sleep Problems You may want to seek advice if your child regularly takes more than 30 minutes to fall asleep, wakes frequently during the night and struggles to resettle, has persistent nightmares or night terrors, resists going to bed or becomes distressed at bedtime, or is consistently tired during the day despite apparently adequate sleep. In younger children, sleep difficulties may show up as bedtime battles, needing a parent to lie with them to fall asleep, or very early waking. In older children and teenagers, the pattern may shift to delayed sleep onset, difficulty waking for school, or excessive screen use before bed that disrupts the body's natural sleep rhythm. It is worth noting that some sleep difficulties have a medical basis, such as sleep apnoea or restless leg syndrome. If you have concerns about your child's breathing during sleep or they experience unusual movements, it may be helpful to discuss these with your GP alongside seeking behavioural support. ## How Sleep Difficulties Are Assessed Assessment of a child's sleep typically begins with a detailed conversation about their sleep patterns, bedtime routine, daytime behaviour, and any relevant medical or developmental history. A specialist may ask you to keep a sleep diary for one or two weeks, recording when your child goes to bed, how long it takes them to fall asleep, any night waking, and what time they rise in the morning. The specialist will also consider whether there are contributing factors such as anxiety, sensory needs, or difficulties with emotional regulation. For children with neurodevelopmental conditions, sleep problems may be linked to differences in melatonin production or heightened arousal levels, and the approach to support may need to account for this. Through ChildWize, you can connect with child psychologists and behavioural specialists who are experienced in assessing and supporting children's sleep. Online sessions make it easy to fit appointments around your family's routine, and the specialist can offer practical guidance based on your home environment. ## How ChildWize Connects You with Support ChildWize helps families access child psychologists, behavioural support specialists, and family therapists who have experience with paediatric sleep difficulties. Your specialist will work with you to understand what is driving the sleep problem and develop a tailored plan that fits your family. Support may include establishing or adjusting bedtime routines, addressing anxiety or worries that surface at night, introducing relaxation techniques appropriate for your child's age, and gradually reducing sleep associations such as needing a parent present to fall asleep. For children with additional needs, strategies may be adapted to account for sensory sensitivities or difficulties with transitions. All sessions take place online. Many families find that discussing sleep in the evening, closer to bedtime, gives the specialist valuable real-time insight into the challenges you face. Your specialist can also provide written plans and resources that the whole family can refer to between sessions. ## Helping Your Child Sleep Better Improving a child's sleep often involves patience and consistency. Some families find it helpful to establish a predictable wind-down routine, keep the sleep environment cool, dark, and quiet, limit screen time in the hour before bed, and ensure the child has enough physical activity during the day. For children who experience anxiety at bedtime, a brief worry time earlier in the evening, where they can talk through their concerns, can help prevent worries from surfacing at lights out. Visual schedules and countdown timers can be useful for younger children or those who find transitions difficult. It is important to approach sleep changes gradually. Dramatic shifts to routine can sometimes increase resistance. A specialist can guide you through small, manageable steps that build over time. Every family's situation is different, and what works for one child may not work for another. ChildWize specialists understand this and will work with you to find an approach that suits your child and your household. ## Possible Treatments - Behavioural Sleep Support - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) - Parent Coaching - Family Therapy ## Frequently Asked Questions ### When should I be concerned about my child's sleep? If sleep difficulties are persistent, lasting more than a few weeks, and are affecting your child's daytime mood, behaviour, or learning, it may be worth seeking professional advice. Occasional poor nights are normal and usually not a cause for concern. ### Can sleep problems be linked to ADHD or autism? Yes. Sleep difficulties are very common in children with ADHD, autism, and other neurodevelopmental conditions. A specialist can help identify whether underlying factors are contributing to the sleep problem and tailor support accordingly. ### Will my child need medication for sleep? Most childhood sleep difficulties respond well to behavioural approaches without the need for medication. If medication is ever considered, this would be discussed with a medical professional such as a paediatrician, not through ChildWize. ### How long does it take to see improvement? Many families notice some improvement within two to four weeks of implementing consistent changes. However, the timeline depends on the nature and severity of the difficulty and how long it has been established. ### Can a specialist help if my child will only sleep in my bed? Yes. Co-sleeping that has developed out of necessity rather than choice is one of the most common concerns families bring to sleep specialists. A gradual, child-centred approach can help your child transition to independent sleep at a pace that feels manageable. ## Related Conditions - [anxiety-in-children](https://www.childwize.co.uk/conditions/anxiety-in-children) - [sensory-processing-disorder](https://www.childwize.co.uk/conditions/sensory-processing-disorder) - [attachment-difficulties](https://www.childwize.co.uk/conditions/attachment-difficulties) ## Related Services - [child-psychology](https://www.childwize.co.uk/services/child-psychology) - [family-therapy](https://www.childwize.co.uk/services/family-therapy) - [behavioural-support](https://www.childwize.co.uk/services/behavioural-support) ## Related Guides - [nhs-vs-private-assessment](https://www.childwize.co.uk/guides/nhs-vs-private-assessment) - [what-to-expect-from-assessment](https://www.childwize.co.uk/guides/what-to-expect-from-assessment) ## Related Concerns - [child-having-meltdowns](https://www.childwize.co.uk/concerns/child-having-meltdowns) - [child-behind-at-nursery](https://www.childwize.co.uk/concerns/child-behind-at-nursery) --- **Canonical URL:** https://www.childwize.co.uk/conditions/sleep-difficulties *Published by [ChildWize](https://www.childwize.co.uk) — connecting UK families with child development specialists.*