01/20/2026
For many families with kids who have ADHD, sleep is one of the biggest challenges faced by both parents and kids. Bedtime can be chaotic. Kids may take hours to fall asleep, wake repeatedly during the night, or struggle to wake up in the morning. And in many households, everyone starts the day already exhausted.
These ADHD sleep issues are very common. William Benson, PhD, a psychologist in the ADHD and Behavior Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute, says sleep problems are “one of the most frequent challenges” he sees in children and teens with ADHD. “Some estimates suggest that 50 percent or more of individuals with ADHD experience significant sleep disturbances,” he says. For some kids, sleep problems can also be a side effect of stimulant medication.
Sleep challenges can show up at the start of the night, in the middle, or in the morning — and many kids struggle with all three. Kids may resist bedtime, feel “wide awake” even when exhausted, wake multiple times overnight, or sleep so deeply that mornings become the most stressful part of the day.
ADHD makes sleep harder because calming racing thoughts, settling emotions, and winding down the body all require self-regulation — something kids with ADHD struggle with, even when they’re tired. Anxiety, inconsistent routines, natural circadian shifts in adolescence, and medication timing can all add to the challenge.
Poor sleep can make ADHD symptoms worse during the day, affecting focus, mood, and behavior. But improving sleep — even a little — can help kids feel more regulated and make family life more manageable.
“Kids aren’t trying to give their parents a hard time,” Dr. Benson says. “They’re having a hard time.”
🔗 Read the full article:
https://childmind.org/article/adhd-and-sleep-issues/
