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[quote=Anonymous]I am an adult with ADHD with kids with ADHD, so sleep has been a problem at various times for various people.

Others have said the guafacine may be the problem, but I know many parents try non-stimulant meds like Guafacine first. Guafacine is an alpha agonist.  There is another non-stimulant medication Stratterra (generic- Atomoxetine) which is a selective-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).

I take Straterra and one of my kids has taken it.  My personal experience is that it is very helpful - enables me to feel all my emotions without being overpowered by them, and decreases the amount my mind "wanders". I am ADHD Inattentive and the "wandering" is my mind thinking about other things when something is boring or I can't move - it is an aspect of imagination I suppose but on atomoxetine it is much less intrusive when I am focusing on something.  When it happens at night it can be difficult to fall asleep.

I also take a stimulant. Truthfully, I don't feel "awake" without it.

One family member has used light therapy to help regulate sleep - a 10,000 lux lamp for 30 mins in the AM while eating breakfast.

Try to be kind to her - I wake my kids kindly and softly at first - with a cheerful voice and gentle pats on the arm. Yes, I might have to do it several times. I try really hard not to be angry since that ruins the whole morning for everyone. I try to remind myself that kids grow and acquire skills at different rates and sleep regulation is one of them.

For myself, I also have to pair things I must do with things I want to do - so is there something motivating you can allow your kid to do, but only at the breakfast table?

Light in the evening also regulates sleep - low lights in the house after 6 pm. In the bedroom, low lights also. I like to read, but it has to be something that hits the sweet spot of interesting enough that I will read but nog so interesting that it makes me alert. Reading occupies my mind enough that I don't ruminate.

Exercise, regular sleep wake hours even on the weekend are all good recs, but sometimes medicine is necessary. [/quote]

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