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Children, adolescents and adults
Why look at sleep when ADHD is suspected or has already been diagnosed?
Dr Christophe Chevalier investigates and treats sleep disorders, particularly breathing disorders, that may contribute to daytime difficulties. He does not carry out any diagnostic tests for ADHD or provide specialist ADHD diagnosis. This assessment complements the care provided by the professionals supporting you with ADHD.
Insufficient or disturbed sleep may be associated with attention difficulties, irritability and, in some children, restlessness. A tired child does not always fall asleep: tiredness may also show in their behaviour.
A sleep disorder may resemble some signs of ADHD, worsen its impact or coexist with it. This does not mean that ADHD is caused by poor sleep. Neither hyperactivity alone nor a questionnaire is enough to establish a diagnosis.
ADHD diagnosis requires a specific clinical assessment. A sleep recording investigates a sleep disorder; on its own, it neither confirms nor rules out ADHD.
We review attention difficulties, restlessness, fatigue and sleepiness, how long they have been present and their effects at school, at work or at home.
In adults too, schedules, sleep and treatment are part of the assessment. Bring a list of medicines and the times you take them; any changes are discussed with the prescriber.
ADHD or hyperactivity does not automatically lead to respiratory polygraphy or polysomnography. The clinical interview and examination guide useful investigations, especially where signs suggest a sleep-related breathing disorder.
The aim is to identify a sleep disorder that warrants treatment, then monitor its effects on your nights and days.
Treating a sleep-related breathing disorder may improve some symptoms and behaviour. It does not guarantee that attention difficulties will disappear and does not replace ADHD care. In a trial involving children with sleep apnoea, treatment improved several aspects of behaviour and quality of life, without significant improvement in tests of attention and executive function compared with the comparison group.
The assessment forms part of your care pathway, in liaison with your designated primary care doctor (médecin traitant), paediatrician or the professional managing ADHD.
Note bedtimes and getting-up times, awakenings, snoring and observed difficulties. Bring available reports, a list of treatments and, for a child, useful observations from those around them.
Book a sleep consultationConsultations in FrenchInformation checked on 10 October 2026.
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