Sleep Disorders: Prevalence and Assessment in Childhood

Abstract

Sleep is an essential biological function. Across early development, it plays a crucial role in facilitating brain maturation and emotional and cognitive development. Sleep disorders are relatively common during childhood and can increase the risk of many physical and mental health problems. It is therefore important that they are accurately identified in younger populations if long-term negative sequelae are to be prevented or attenuated. The current chapter briefly outlines the normative development of sleep across childhood and then describes common childhood sleep disorders broadly grouped as dyssomnias and parasomnias. There is then a consideration of the complex interrelationships between youth sleep problems and psychiatric disorders. Next is a critical discussion of the range of methodologies used for assessing childhood sleep disorders in research and clinical populations. This chapter concludes with suggestions for future research directions.