Run a Private Sleep Service
Are you a pharmacist interested in supporting children (aged 2-18yrs), who have an existing ADHD or Autism diagnosis, with their sleep.
Research clearly shows that sleep difficulties are far more common in children with ADHD or ASD than in their typically developing peers.
Why ADHD / Autism raise sleep vulnerability
The higher incidence of sleep disturbance in neurodivergent children may be due to overlapping biological, neurological, behavioural, and environmental mechanisms:
- Altered arousal regulation, neurotransmitter systems (e.g. dopamine, melatonin)
- Sensory sensitivities or hyper-reactivity (light, sound, tactile stimuli interfering with settling)
- Co-occurring anxiety, gastrointestinal problems, or epilepsy
- Inconsistent routines, environmental triggers, or bedtime resistance
- Effects of stimulant or other medications (which can delay sleep onset)
- Chronobiological differences or circadian misalignment
- Sleep disorders such as sleep-disordered breathing or parasomnias (though less common)
Because sleep problems often cluster with other challenges, addressing sleep can have a ripple effect across multiple domains.
The Case for Pharmacists as Sleep Advisors for Children with Additional Needs
Why pharmacists are well placed to help
- Accessibility & trust: Pharmacists are often the most accessible point of care in the community, and already play roles in advising on medications, sleep hygiene, OTC sleep aids, and general health.
- Medication knowledge: They understand drug–sleep interactions, dosing timings, side effects (e.g. stimulants delaying sleep), and safe use of melatonin (where applicable).
- Cross-disciplinary liaison: Pharmacists can act as a bridge between families and prescribers (paediatricians, psychiatrists, sleep specialists), providing reinforcing advice and monitoring.
- Behavioural coaching role: With appropriate training, they can counsel families on effective sleep hygiene, behaviour-based sleep interventions, and when to refer.
- Continuity: Families often visit the same pharmacy regularly, offering longitudinal support and follow-up.
Once you are trained, your service would look like this:
Step 1: Initial Consultation (1.5 hours)
- Comprehensive sleep assessment
- Introduction to a sleep diary
- Discussion of immediate adjustments to try
Step 2: Follow-Up Consultation (1 hour, 3–4 weeks later)
- Review of the child’s sleep diary
- Personalised sleep plan created for the family
- Prescription of sleep medication if clinically appropriate
Step 3: Progress Review (30 minutes, 4 weeks later)
- Evaluate progress with the plan
- Adjust strategies or medication if needed
Step 4: Parent / Carer Phone Check-In (4 weeks later)
- Ongoing support to keep them on track
How much can you charge your patient for this service?
At Makewell we charge £390 but you can decide your own price.
What is included in your private sleep service package through Makewell
- One day of remote training
- Access to sleep diary / resources for your consultations
- PGD for sleep medication (required for some patients)
To discuss this service further contact: Samantha@wemakewell.co.uk
