Pediatric Sleep Resistance

The developmental importance of sleep cannot be overstated from both physical and psychological perspectives. Not only can insufficient quantity or quality of sleep result in growth deficits and other negative physical health outcomes but can also mimic or exacerbate several behavioral concerns such as anxiety, learning disabilities, and/or attentional difficulties and has been shown to increase the incidence of accidents and injuries (Paruthi et al., 2016). Sleeplessness in teenagers has been associated with serious mood disorders and even higher rates of suicidal and parasuicidal behavior (Paruthi et al., 2016). Moreover, sleep problems create a behavioral ripple effect within the family system, often adversely affecting not only the identified child but also their parents and siblings. Surveys of both pediatric medical providers and parents suggest that upwards of 20% of young children experience clinically noteworthy difficulties falling or staying asleep on at least an intermittent basis (Davis et al., 2012; Owens, 2008). Despite the high prevalence of concern, however, sleep problems are often not adequately addressed in the primary care setting. Given that children are seen within primary care on a regular and frequent basis compared to adults both for well-child and sick visits, this is the ideal setting in which to assess for and intervene on sleep problems.