Stop playing with that please, stop shouting, stop jumping on the couch, stop bugging me, stop fighting with your brother, stop bouncing your leg. If you have a hyperactive child, you may be familiar with these phrases. Children who are hyperactive are likely to be sleep deprived.
Children who don’t get enough sleep at night don't necessarily show signs of sleepiness during the day. Contrary to adults, children who don’t get enough sleep usually become hyperactive, distracted, irritable, and moody during the day. They also have increased risk of injury and their growth rate may be impaired. Sleep deprivation is common during childhood and may be misdiagnosed as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). There is substantial body of research to suggest that children who have been diagnosed with ADHD are really just sleep-deprived. When children do not get enough sleep, their body responds by producing more cortisol and adrenaline ( hormones involved in the stress response) so they can stay awake. As a result, they will have more energy.
Practical Points:
If you have a very hyperactive child, it makes sense to examine your child’s sleep schedule--even if he or she doesn’t show obvious signs of sleep deprivation.
Photo taken from verywellfamily.com