ADHD: It’s known to cause hyperactivity in children and a new study finds it’s not just a daytime problem.

“There is a big overlap between ADHD and sleep disorders,” explains Dr. Jose Colon, Medical Director for Pediatric Sleep Medicine at The Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida. “Sleep disorders are also something that can be seen in about 50 percent of children who have ADHD,” he adds.

Just recently, scientists in Taiwan looked at the sleep patterns of 280 children and found those diagnosed with ADHD had more sleeping problems then those who didn’t. Dr. Colon says parents should watch children with ADHD a bit more closely. “In taking a look at daytime symptoms of children with sleep disorders, they don’t always tell you if they have sleepiness during the day,” explains Dr. Colon.

The child’s doctor can also help determine if new medications or other remedies are needed. “Your pediatrician can screen with a sleep assessment. Are we snoring? Is it hard to wake up in the morning? Is it harder than it should be?” adds Dr. Colon.

It’s important to treat both the ADHD and the sleep disorder simultaneously to keep both the wake and sleep cycles on track.