Sleep Treatments for ADHD

Plain-language summary

Research suggests that addressing sleep problems in children and adolescents with ADHD often involves a combination of strategies. Sleep hygiene practices are a good first step, and if those aren't enough, melatonin may be considered. It's important to note that many studies in this area are still ongoing or are reviews of existing research, so more definitive conclusions will come as new studies are published.

Key findings

• Sleep hygiene, which includes good bedtime routines and environment, can be helpful in reducing the time it takes for children with ADHD to fall asleep.
• If sleep hygiene alone isn't enough, melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone that helps regulate sleep, may be an effective treatment for initial insomnia in children with ADHD.
• There is ongoing research and discussion about the best ways to manage sleep difficulties in children with ADHD, including the use of various medications.
• The role of melatonin in treating sleep problems in children is an active area of study.
• Review articles consistently highlight the importance of managing sleep disturbances in children with ADHD.

Studies cited (8)

1. Sleep hygiene and melatonin treatment for children and adolescents with ADHD and initial insomnia — Weiss MD, Wasdell MB, Bomben MM (2006, Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, rct)

   OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of sleep hygiene and melatonin treatment for initial insomnia in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHOD: Twenty-seven stimulant-treated children (6-14 years of age) with ADHD and initial insomnia (>60 minutes) received sleep hygiene intervention. Nonresponders were randomized to a 30-day double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of 5-mg pharmaceutical-grade melatonin provided by the study's sponsor. RESULTS: Sleep hygiene reduced initial insomnia to <60 minutes in 5 cases, with an overall effect size in the group as a w

2. Pediatric Insomnia — Kteish R, Ednick M, Kier C (2026, Pediatrics in review, other)

   DOI: 10.1542/pir.2024-006687

3. Pharmacological management for insomnia in children and adolescents with autism and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder — Mammarella V, Randazzo L, Romano S (2025, Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy, other)

   DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2025.2508277

4. The management of sleep disturbances in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): an update of the literature — Cortese S, Fusetto Veronesi G, Gabellone A (2024, Expert review of neurotherapeutics, other)

   DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2024.2353692

5. Melatonin Treatment for Pediatric Patients with Insomnia: Is There a Place for It? — Rolling J, Rabot J, Schroder CM (2022, Nature and science of sleep, other)

   DOI: 10.2147/NSS.S340944 PMCID: PMC9621019

6. Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Pediatric Prolonged-Release Melatonin for Insomnia in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder — Maras A, Schroder CM, Malow BA (2018, Journal of child and adolescent psychopharmacology, other)

   DOI: 10.1089/cap.2018.0020 PMCID: PMC6306655

7. Efficacy and Safety of Pediatric Prolonged-Release Melatonin for Insomnia in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder — Gringras P, Nir T, Breddy J (2017, Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, other)

   DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2017.09.414

8. Neurofeedback in ADHD and insomnia: vigilance stabilization through sleep spindles and circadian networks — Arns M, Kenemans JL (2014, Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews, other)

   DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2012.10.006