Your child’s primary physician can assess causes and recommend interventions. An otolaryngologist (ENT) and/or pulmonologist will assess if issues in the ears, nose, throat or airway are affecting sleep. An ophthalmologist will consider your child’s light perception. A physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist will consider spasticity. A neurologist or sleep specialist can recommend medications and strategies. Complex care and palliative care clinicians can consider treatment strategies when sleep remains a chronic problem.
Sleep
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Children with SNI often have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, or they sleep too much during the day. Sleep disruption can be a symptom of a physical problem; for example, obstructive sleep apnea or pain. Chronic sleep issues in children with SNI can also be a result of the brain’s improper regulation of sleep or, in some children, of seizure activity. Sleep problems can also be caused by medications. There are very few sleep treatment programs specifically developed or adapted for neurologically impaired children, but detecting and treating sleep problems may reduce the occurrence of other problems (such as seizures) and improve quality of life.
Adapting to Diagnosis
Collecting information, care and support as issues emerge for your child and your journey begins.
Building Strengths
Maximizing your child’s core skills and family resiliency to develop a foundation for the journey.
Adjusting to Changes
Making decisions and adapting to your child’s evolving baseline throughout the journey.
Navigating Decline
Re-orienting goals and finding support alongside declines in your child’s condition, preparing you for the end of your child’s journey.
Present in Some Children
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)
RLS is a condition that causes uncontrollable movement of the legs, is a possible cause of sleep disruption. Occasionally, low iron in the body can cause this restlessness and increased movement. It is difficult to identify restless leg syndrome in children with SNI and to distinguish it from spasticity. The medical team will review your child’s regimen for medications that can cause motor restlessness, called akathisia.
Cerebral or Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI)
CVI is caused by damage to the parts of the brain that process vision. It is diagnosed when children show abnormal visual responses that aren’t caused by the eyes themselves. Children with CVI can have abnormal light response, blunted or avoidant social gaze, poor visual acuity and field loss.