WAKE UP: The Problems of a Sleepy Child

The American Academy of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry (AAPMD) will host a free seminar on Thursday, April 24 to help concerned educators, healthcare practitioners, and parents learn if the sleepy or distracted child in their lives may have a treatable sleep or airway issue. The seminar will take place in “The Little Theatre” at Naperville Central High School, in Naperville, Illinois from 7-9 p.m.

Attendees will hear presentations from two esteemed experts in the field of sleep and airway issues. Dr. William Hang, Airway Centric™ Orthodontist, and international speaker on the Biobloc technique and facial growth guidance will be present, while Dr. Stephen Sheldon, Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University School of Medicine, and Director, Sleep Medicine Center - Ann and Robert H. Laurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago will join us via video stream to discuss creating and encouraging a balance between educational development and health care.

“There are a number of sleep disorders that if looked at, an attention deficient problem can be identified. If you take a large number of children that have attention deficient disorder and you evaluate them for sleep disorder breathing about a fifth to a quarter of those youngsters will have sleep disorder breathing, or pediatric obstructive sleep apnea,” according to Dr. Sheldon. He continued, “The most important aspect of evaluating a child for ADHD or other attention problems is to do a sleep evaluation. A sleep evaluation is essential in every single child that is being evaluated, 100% of those children need a sleep evaluation.”

Lack of sleep and/or quality sleep affects children’s physical and emotional health, cognitive function behavior and academic success. Sleep screening and interventions to improve sleep should be part of routine clinical exam. Parents, teachers and everyone concerned with the growth and development, academic performance and health of children must have greater awareness of sleep issues. To register, visit www.aapmd.org/naperville.