Sleep Medicine

Pediatric sleep specialists focus on diagnosing and treating sleep disturbances and sleep disorders in children and teens. At Gillette Children's, our children's sleep consultants specialize in treating sleep conditions in children with disabilities—but we are a resource for typically developing children with sleep issues, too.

Disabilities and complex conditions often can lead to problems with sleep.

Some of the sleep disorders we see most often include:

• Circadian rhythm disorders, which cause kids to sleep and wake on an unusual schedule.
• Hypersomnolence, which cause children to sleep too much or be sleepy most of the time.
• Insomnia, which involves difficulty falling or staying asleep.
• Night terrors, which include repeated episodes of intense crying, screaming and fright during sleep.
• Parasomnias, which describe unusual behaviors (like walking or talking) while a child is falling asleep or during sleep.
• Restless leg syndrome, which is a movement disorder that causes an urge to move the legs.
• Sleep apnea, which blocks airflow and interrupts breathing during sleep.

A children's sleep study (also known as polysomnography test) can confirm whether or not your child has a sleep disorder.

During an overnight sleep study at the Gillette Sleep Health Clinic, your child will be cared for in a soothing environment that’s sound- and light-proof—and there’s room for you to stay overnight, too.

While your child sleeps, pediatric sleep specialists use state-of-the-art equipment to monitor your child’s:

• Blood pressure.
• Electrocardiographic activity.
• Blood oxygen level.
• Brain wave pattern (through video electroencephalogram).
• Eye movement.
• Airflow through the nose and mouth.
• Movement of respiratory muscles and limbs.

If your child needs medical support while staying overnight for a sleep study, we offer lift systems, oxygen and suction capabilities, and access to experts in areas such as neurology, pulmonology and respiratory care, and the Gillette Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Treatment for your child's sleep disorder will depend on the nature of the disorder.

Read about the treatment options available for common pediatric sleep disorders.

Gillette offers one of the nation’s only sleep medicine programs designed specifically for children and teens who have disabilities and complex conditions. If your typically developing child experiences sleep disorders that can affect attention, learning, behavior and other abilities—we can help, too.

Our Sleep Medicine experts offer convenient virtual appointments. When you call to schedule a sleep medicine appointment, ask about your virtual appointment options.