How can I help my daughter sleep well?

Q: My 9 years old daughter has a sleeping problem. She does not sleep well; it takes her long to go to sleep. When she was about 3 or 4 years old I was very nervous about her sleep. I used to keep shouting telling her to go to bed. Please suggest how I can help her sleep well and on time?

A:Often children have sleep problems secondary to behavioural problems and most of these could be addressed if evaluated in terms of maladaptive patterns of behaviour pertaining bedtime routine and sleep. However, it is not uncommon for parents not to notice such maladaptive patterns and usually a behavioural sleep specialist or physician sleep specialist can evaluate these issues further. Once such maladaptive patterns are recognised then treatment needs to be customised based upon the behavioural patterns. I suggest contacting such a specialist in your area for further evaluation and treatment.