Sleep problems are one of the most overlooked — and misunderstood — parts of ADHD.

In this episode of the SEND Parenting Podcast, Dr Olivia Kessel breaks down the science behind ADHD and sleep, explaining why up to 70% of children with ADHD struggle with sleep, and why this is not behavioural, it is biological.

Drawing on research and lived experience, Dr Olivia explains how delayed melatonin release and circadian rhythm disruption affect the ADHD brain, and why many children are simply not biologically ready for sleep at conventional bedtimes.

This episode was created after a conversation inside the ADHD Warrior Mum community, where a mum shared that her child was still full of energy at bedtime — and that her doctor questioned the evidence behind melatonin. That question prompted a deep dive into what the research actually shows.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why sleep difficulties are so common in ADHD
• How melatonin works (and what it does not do)
• What the research says about safety and effectiveness
• Why addressing sleep can transform emotional regulation, focus, and family life

Dr. Olivia also shares her personal journey navigating over a decade of severe sleep disruption with her daughter — and how understanding the biology changed everything.

🎧 Recommended resource:
Dr. Olivia references research and clinical insights from Dr Russell Barkley, including his YouTube talk on ADHD and sleep.
👉 Link to Dr Russell Barkley’s YouTube video on ADHD and sleep

📘 Free resource:
Download the free 30-Day Sleep Guide at
www.SENDParenting.com/Sleep

💬 Connect with Us

🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life.

⚡ Ready to go deeper?
Become part of the ADHD Warrior Mum’s Recharge Station — your space for group coaching, expert guidance, real connection, and the calm you deserve as you navigate this journey.

📩 Contact Me
If you would like to get in touch, you can email me directly at [email protected]
I would genuinely love to hear from you, especially about the topics you would like covered and the guests you would love to hear from in 2026.