About the Sleep Program

Sleep problems can occur at any age, but when they occur in toddlers, children or young adults, they can have a big impact on the entire family. 20% of all children suffer from some type of sleeping problem, and the causes range from poor sleep habits and behavioral problems to underlying medical conditions. Whatever the cause, the impact can be disruptive to children and their families.

Children’s Colorado Sleep Center provides comprehensive clinics to evaluate patients and to make appropriate treatment recommendations so that the entire family can return to an optimal night of sleep. Our team assists primary care providers and specialists with the diagnosis and treatment of infants, children, and adolescents with sleep problems.

Why choose Children’s Colorado for the treatment of sleep conditions?

The Sleep Center includes comprehensive clinics to evaluate patients and to make appropriate treatment recommendations so that the entire family can return to a normal night of sleep. Our team assists primary care physicians and specialists with the diagnosis and treatment of infants, children and adolescents with sleep problems.

Many sleep problems can be coupled with other medical problems. That is why the multidisciplinary approach to care at Children's Colorado is so important when successfully solving sleep problems. The Sleep Center team works closely with other teams within the hospital, including:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Otolaryngology or Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) specialists
• Neurology
• Adolescent Medicine
• Nutrition
• The Sie Center for Down Syndrome
• Psychology & Psychiatry

Sleep conditions we treat

Sleep problems can be categorized as medical or behavioral in nature.

Medical sleep conditions

• Adolescents: insomnia or inability to fall asleep at regular time or stay asleep
• Apparent-life-threatening-event (ALTE), previously called near-miss SIDS/SUIDS
• Chronic lung disease
• Circadian rhythm disorder
• Daytime sleepiness
• Narcolepsy
• Restless sleeper
• Restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder
• Rhythmic movement sleep disorder
• Sleep disordered breathing and obstructive sleep apnea
• Central sleep apnea and periodic breathing 
• Sleep starts
• Snoring

Behavioral sleep conditions

• Bedtime resistance and fears
• Early morning risers
• Insufficient sleep leading to excessive daytime sleepiness
• Insomnia
• Nightmares
• Nighttime awakenings, from a need to be held or need to be fed
• Night terrors
• Sleepwalking

What we offer

Services we provide:

• Evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders
• Evaluation of a sleep log or diary of your child’s sleep habits over a one or two-week period
• Overnight sleep studies or additional sleep tests, if necessary
• Communication of diagnosis and treatment information to your child’s primary care provider
• Education and support for parents to help manage sleep problems

Your first sleep clinic visit

During a your first visit to our sleep clinics, you will meet a team of providers, including physician trainees who will be our nation’s future sleep specialists. An initial assessment with a detailed history and clinical exam by a sleep provider will be the first step.

In this evaluation, further studies may be suggested, including sleep studies and possible laboratory and radiological testing. A complete diagnostic approach and therapeutic plan will be provided and communicated to the referring provider.