Did you know 40% of children suffer from sleep issues, which rises to 70-80% for neurodivergent children?

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Fay Smith - a Children’s Sleep Consultant and Co-owner of The Little Dreams Franchise. Fay and her business partner Jenna share an intense passion for the importance of sleep and its role in health and wellbeing, not only for children but also for their parents. As members of the British Sleep Society and the British Paediatric Sleep Society, along with the Association of Professional Sleep Consultants, they pride themselves on their evidence-based practice.

Fay and Claire discuss the importance of sleep for all children, but particularly those who are neurodivergent - not to mention the importance for their parents! Fay explains what causes sleep issues for neurodivergent kids, describing the intricate role of melatonin and circadian rhythms in sleep regulation, along with sharing some fascinating insight into why sleep can suddenly become an issue for teenagers. 

She also suggests some practical strategies parents can adopt to support their children to get a better night’s sleep, such as minimising screen time before bed, engaging in calming activities to decompress, and maintaining a consistent bedtime routine. 

As well as delving into the use of weighted blankets, prompted by new research published at the end of 2023, which explored whether weighted blankets positively affect sleep and everyday activities for individuals with ADHD and/or ASD.

Fay finishes by sharing a success story of a child with ADHD who improved sleep quality and reduced symptoms using her methods, whose name listeners might just recognise! 

If you or your ADHD child are desperate for some simple, effective ways to banish bedtime battles and ensure everyone gets a better night’s sleep, this episode is a must-listen!

To find out more about Fay and her work, or if you are experiencing problems with your child’s sleep, you can find your nearest Little Dreams sleep consultant here: Baby and Child Sleep Consultant Services | Little Dreams (littledreamsconsulting.com)

Resources mentioned in the episode:

‘Sleepy snacks’ blog: 

Sleepy Snack - Little Dreams Consulting

Links to Weighted Blanket studies:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C7AASd0LNV8/?igsh=a3A5NzlkOWFqcWNs

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34184958/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36824380/