Dropping Bombs

90% of ADHD Kids Have THIS Hidden Sleep Problem

Dec 28, 2025
Dr. David McIntosh is a renowned ENT specialist focused on children’s sleep issues, while Dr. Bill Harrell is a board-certified orthodontist and educator advocating for early airway interventions. They reveal the alarming connection between mouth breathing and various developmental issues like ADHD and anxiety. Listeners learn how to spot signs of sleep-disordered breathing and understand its impact on children’s health. The duo emphasizes the necessity for early intervention and collaborative care to prevent long-term consequences, advocating for better awareness among parents and clinicians.
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INSIGHT

Nightly Mouth Breathing Is Abnormal

  • Children should not mouth breathe or snore night after night; those are abnormal signs of airway problems.
  • Parents must watch and listen a few minutes over multiple nights and keep a diary to document snoring or mouth breathing.
ADVICE

Check Head Position And Record It

  • Go check your child's sleep position and head tilt because a tipped-back head and open mouth often indicate breathing compensation.
  • If you spot these signs nightly, record them and consult an airway-focused clinician.
INSIGHT

Sleep Problems Tie To ADHD And Learning

  • Sleep quality affects brain development, memory, and daytime behavior, linking directly to ADHD and learning problems.
  • David McIntosh states 90% of children diagnosed with ADHD have an associated sleep problem that should prompt a sleep study.
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