Sleep Help for Kids with ADHD
When ADHD and sleep challenges overlap, bedtime can feel especially complicated.
Maybe your child can't seem to wind down at night. Bedtime stretches on and on. They get a second wind just when everyone else is ready for sleep. Or mornings are a struggle because they didn't get enough rest the night before.
Children with ADHD can experience sleep challenges for many reasons, and what works for one child may not work for another.
I'm Tiffany Marrelli, MS, BCBA, Certified Behavioral Sleep Practitioner. I specialize in helping families understand what's getting in the way of sleep and develop practical, individualized strategies that fit their child and family.
Why Can Sleep Be Hard for Kids with ADHD?
ADHD doesn't automatically mean a child will have sleep problems. But when sleep is difficult, ADHD-related differences can sometimes add another layer.
Your child may struggle with:
Transitioning away from preferred activities at bedtime
Slowing down their body and mind
Following a multi-step bedtime routine independently
Keeping track of time
Staying in bed once the routine is finished
Settling after an exciting or stimulating day
Waking and getting moving in the morning
Sleep changes that may coincide with medication timing
Sometimes the issue isn't the bedtime routine at all. That's why I start by looking at the whole sleep picture rather than assuming your child simply needs a stricter routine.
A Behavioral Approach to ADHD & Sleep
First, we figure out what's actually happening.
Before recommending strategies, I take a detailed look at your child's sleep patterns, routines, environment, schedule, behavior, and other factors that may be contributing to the problem.
Then we develop a plan based on your child—not a generic sleep-training method.
Depending on your child's needs, support may include:
Making bedtime routines easier to follow
Using visual supports and environmental cues
Supporting transitions into bedtime
Building independent sleep skills gradually
Adjusting routines and schedules to better support sleep
Addressing bedtime resistance or frequent getting out of bed
Creating realistic morning routines
Helping parents respond consistently without turning bedtime into a nightly power struggle
If I see signs that something outside my scope may be contributing to your child's sleep difficulties, I'll recommend involving the appropriate medical or other healthcare professional.
Sleep Support That Works With Your Child
Kids with ADHD don't need to be forced into a one-size-fits-all sleep plan.
They may need more structure in some places, more flexibility in others, and strategies designed around the skills that are currently difficult for them.
As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with extensive experience supporting children with ADHD, I bring a behavioral lens to sleep while keeping your child's individual needs—and your family's real life—at the center of the plan.
Meet Tiffany Marrelli, MS, BCBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst & Certified Behavioral Sleep Practitioner
I have more than a decade of experience working with children and families, including extensive experience supporting children with ADHD and other neurodevelopmental differences.
My sleep work combines behavioral assessment, evidence-based sleep strategies, and individualized parent support.
And because I'm a mom of three, I also understand that a plan can look great on paper and still not work at 8:17 p.m. on a Tuesday. My goal is to help you develop strategies you can realistically use in your own home.
Common ADHD Sleep Challenges I Help With
Bedtime resistance
Bedtime becomes a long process of negotiating, delaying, getting up, or struggling to transition away from preferred activities.
Difficulty falling asleep
Your child gets into bed but has trouble settling and falling asleep.
Dependence on a parent to fall asleep
Your child needs you nearby, in the room, or actively helping them fall asleep and you'd like to gradually build more independence.
Night wakings
Your child wakes during the night and has difficulty returning to sleep independently.
Inconsistent sleep schedules
Bedtime and wake time vary significantly, making it harder to establish predictable sleep.
Difficult mornings
Your child struggles to wake up and move through the morning after a difficult night.
What Does Sleep Support Look Like?
1. Understand the problem
We'll look closely at your child's sleep patterns, routines, environment, behavior, and relevant developmental factors.
2. Identify what's maintaining the sleep challenge
Instead of jumping straight to a solution, we'll figure out what may be contributing to the problem.
3. Create an individualized plan
You'll receive practical strategies tailored to your child's needs and your family's goals.
4. Make adjustments together
Sleep isn't always linear. We'll use your child's response to guide changes rather than expecting you to follow a rigid plan that isn't working.
FAQs
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Yes. In fact, many families reach out after trying multiple strategies on their own. Part of my job is figuring out why those strategies haven't been enough and what might need to be approached differently.
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Yes. Medication is prescribed and managed by your child's healthcare provider, but medication timing and possible sleep effects are important information to consider as part of a comprehensive sleep assessment. When appropriate, I may recommend discussing sleep concerns with your child's prescriber.
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Yes. Children don't fit neatly into diagnostic boxes. I look at the individual child and the factors affecting their sleep rather than focusing on one diagnosis in isolation.
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No. Sleep support is individualized. I work with families who want gradual approaches to building independent sleep skills, and we'll discuss what feels appropriate for your child and family.
Ready to Figure Out What's Getting in the Way of Sleep?
You don't need another generic list of sleep tips.
If sleep is affecting your child's days—and your whole family's nights—we can take a closer look at what's happening and determine what kind of support makes sense.
Schedule a Free 15-Minute Consultation
We'll talk briefly about what's happening with your child's sleep, what you've already tried, and whether my approach would be a good fit for your family.
Let's discuss how specialized ADHD sleep strategies can help your family achieve better sleep and more manageable routines.
[Schedule Free Consultation] | [Learn About Sleep Solutions] | [Contact SEA Behavioral]
Serving families in Columbus and Central Ohio, with virtual sleep consultation available throughout Ohio.