Measuring Daytime Sleepiness in Children and Adolescents

Epworth Sleepiness Scale for Children and Adolescents (ESS-CHAD)

The ESS-CHAD can help measure your child’s level of daytime sleepiness. Help your child answer the questions below and share the results with your healthcare provider.

Over the last month, how likely have you been to fall asleep while doing the things that are described below (activities)?

Even if you haven’t done some of these things in the last month, try to imagine how they would have affected you.

Activity/ 

Chance of Falling Asleep

Would never 
fall asleep

Slight chance
of falling asleep

Moderate chance 
of falling asleep

High chance 
of falling asleep

Sitting and reading 1 of 8

Would never fall asleep

Slight chance of falling asleep

Moderate chance of falling asleep

High chance of falling asleep

Sitting and watching TV or a video 2 of 8

Would never fall asleep

Slight chance of falling asleep

Moderate chance of falling asleep

High chance of falling asleep

Sitting in a classroom at school 
during the morning 3 of 8

Would never fall asleep

Slight chance of falling asleep

Moderate chance of falling asleep

High chance of falling asleep

Sitting and riding in a car or bus 
for about half an hour 4 of 8

Would never fall asleep

Slight chance of falling asleep

Moderate chance of falling asleep

High chance of falling asleep

Lying down to rest or nap in the 
afternoon 5 of 8

Would never fall asleep

Slight chance of falling asleep

Moderate chance of falling asleep

High chance of falling asleep

Sitting and talking to someone 6 of 8

Would never fall asleep

Slight chance of falling asleep

Moderate chance of falling asleep

High chance of falling asleep

Sitting quietly by yourself after lunch 7 of 8

Would never fall asleep

Slight chance of falling asleep

Moderate chance of falling asleep

High chance of falling asleep

Sitting and eating a meal 8 of 8

Would never fall asleep

Slight chance of falling asleep

Moderate chance of falling asleep

High chance of falling asleep

Higher scores are associated with more daytime sleepiness. You should discuss your child's responses and score with your healthcare provider.

Total Score = 0

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Your child's ESS-CHAD score is:

0

An ESS-CHAD score greater than 10 suggests excessive daytime sleepiness. An ESS-CHAD score of 16 or higher suggests a high level of excessive daytime sleepiness. You should discuss your child's ESS-CHAD score with your sleep specialist.

Interpreting ESS-CHAD Scores

0
10
16
24
Normal levels of sleepiness
Suggests excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)
Suggests a high level of EDS

Share these important scores with your healthcare provider

This screening tool is not intended to make a narcolepsy diagnosis or replace complete evaluation by a sleep specialist.