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(ABC4 News) If your child acts up during the day and seems drowsy all the time, it could mean they aren't getting enough sleep at night from Sleep Apnea.

It's a growing sleep disorder in adults, and now Utah doctors are treating the same condition in their young patients.

Seventeen-year old Amanda Fraser of Park City remembers night after night of lost sleep. She found herself always tired.

"I would have to jostle myself 13 times an hour because my airway was collapsing," Amanda said.

Her Sleep Apnea created fatigue she felt everyday at school.

"I couldn't concentrate.  It was just hard.  I just couldn't be in the room.  I just want to fall asleep or go home," Amanda said.

Her mother knew something was wrong, especially with Amanda's irregular breathing patterns,  but doctors told Amanda she didn't need her tonsils taken out.

The Frasers found help at Primary Children's Sleep Lab.  There, Dr. Dominic Gault evaluated Amanda through sleeping sessions. He recommended she have her tonsils and adenoids removed to open her airways.  Now Amanda says her nights are restful all the way through.

"It's changed a lot about me," she said.

Surgery isn't always the answer for young patients.  Dr. Gault believes studying sleep patterns could be a key to unlocking other behavioral problems with kids.

"Somewhere around 25% of kids with Attention Deficit Disorder may have an underlying problem with sleep disturbance that if corrected can make their other symptoms go away," Dr. Gault said.

If you are wondering about your child's sleep patterns, you can watch for certain symptoms.  Breathing problems at night, loud snoring, difficulty sleeping, frequently waking up or daytime sleepiness are all indications of Sleep Apnea.

For more information on treating kids with Sleep Apnea, visit the The National Sleep Foundation, or Primary Children's Hospital Sleep Lab.