About this episode

This episode discusses practical sleep strategies for neurodivergent children with ADHD and autism, featuring insights from pediatric sleep expert Dr. Melisa Moore.

Is bedtime one of the hardest parts of your day? For many children with ADHD, autism, or other forms of neurodivergence, sleep struggles are not simply behavioral. Brain biology, sensory sensitivities, anxiety, delayed circadian rhythms, and difficulty transitioning can all make it harder to fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake feeling rested. In this episode of The ADHD Kids Can Thrive Podcast, Kate Brownfield, ACC, ADHD Parent Coach, speaks with pediatric sleep expert Dr. Melisa Moore about why traditional sleep advice may not work for neurodivergent children and what parents can do instead. Dr. Moore is a clinical psychologist, board-certified specialist in behavioral sleep medicine, and author of The Good Sleep Guide for Neurodivergent Kids. Drawing from her clinical expertise and her experience raising a neurodivergent child, she explains why persistent sleep challenges are not necessarily defiance or a sign that parents are doing something wrong. Kate and Dr. Moore discuss: • Why ADHD and autism can affect sleep• Delayed circadian rhythms and nighttime bursts of energy• Flexible bedtime routines and visual sleep schedules• Sensory challenges during nighttime routines• Sleep…

People in this episode

Host: Kate Brownfield

Guest: Dr. Melisa Moore

Topics covered

• ADHD
• sleep
• neurodivergent children
• parenting strategies
• bedtime routines
• pediatric sleep

Keywords

• ADHD
• sleep strategies
• neurodivergent
• bedtime routines
• pediatric sleep
• anxiety
• circadian rhythms
• sensory sensitivities

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Good Sleep Guide for Neurodivergent Kids, ADHD, autism, behavioral sleep medicine

More episodes of The ADHD Kids Can Thrive Podcast

• The Boy with the Butterfly Mind: A Family’s Journey Through ADHD · September 7, 2026 · 30 min
• ADHD and the Wall of Awful: Why Kids Get Stuck and How Parents Can Help · August 31, 2026 · 30 min
• ADHD, Dyslexia & Belonging: Self-Advocacy for Neurodivergent Teens and Young Adults with Riley Mulcahy · August 24, 2026 · 26 min
• ADHD and Academic Pressure: Are We Raising Successful Kids or Stressed-Out Kids? with Dr. Denise Pope · August 17, 2026 · 32 min
• ADHD Parent Training: What If Your Child Isn’t the First One Who Needs to Change? · July 27, 2026 · 15 min

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