Common sleep difficulties in neurodivergent children and young people

Sleep challenges can appear in different ways. Some of the most common include:

  • difficulty falling asleep
  • frequent waking during the night
  • waking very early in the morning
  • restless or poor-quality sleep
  • anxiety or racing thoughts at bedtime

Several factors can contribute to these difficulties.

Sensory sensitivities

Noise, light, clothing textures or bedding may feel uncomfortable or distracting.

Anxiety

Worries about the next day, school or social situations may become stronger at night when the environment is quiet.

ADHD-related hyperarousal

Children with ADHD may find it difficult for their brains and bodies to “switch off” in the evening.

A child sitting with hands on their face while an adult sits nearby with a hand on their shoulder; illustrated speech bubbles appear in the background showing different emotions.

Irregular sleep patterns

Changes in bedtime routines or screen use can disrupt the body’s internal clock.

The impact of poor sleep

When sleep is disrupted over time, it can affect many areas of a child’s life.

Children who are sleep-deprived may experience:

  • increased emotional reactivity
  • reduced attention and focus
  • more anxiety or irritability
  • lower motivation and energy
  • greater difficulty managing social interactions

Sleep deprivation can also create a cycle of stress. When children are tired, they may struggle more at school or socially, which increases anxiety and makes sleep even harder the following night.

Improving sleep can therefore have positive effects on behaviour, mood and learning.

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