Neurodevelopmental & Behavioural Health

As a general paediatrician working in Bendigo, Kyneton, Trentham, and Daylesford, I am experienced in assessing and managing children and adolescents with a wide range of neurodevelopmental, behavioural, and mental health concerns.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

As the saying goes, "If you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism."

Children and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have unique personalities, skills, interests, strengths, senses of humour, and life experiences. They also experience different challenges, behaviours, and sensory preferences. Despite this diversity, they share common features that fit within the diagnostic criteria for ASD.

If you, your child's educators, or other carers have concerns that your child may have features of autism, I would be happy to assess them. Prior to your appointment, it is extremely helpful if you can provide any relevant information, including:

• School or educator reports

• Occupational therapy assessments

• Speech pathology assessments

• Psychology reports

• Letters from other carers or health professionals involved in your child's care

Please send these documents to the administration team before your appointment where possible.

Some younger children with more pronounced features of autism can be diagnosed through assessment by a single clinician. However, for many children—particularly older children—a multidisciplinary assessment involving several clinicians provides a more comprehensive understanding of their strengths and challenges.

As children grow, the social, educational, and emotional demands placed upon them become increasingly complex. Because of this, ongoing assessment and, in some cases, reassessment can be important to ensure that supports remain appropriate throughout development.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD can present in many different ways and at various stages throughout childhood and adolescence.

Girls often present differently from boys and are therefore more likely to be diagnosed later. Similarly, children with predominantly inattentive ADHD may have their difficulties overlooked because they are less likely to disrupt the classroom or draw attention to themselves compared with children who are more hyperactive or impulsive.

If you, your child's educators, or other carers have concerns about ADHD, please provide:

• A letter or report from your child's school or educators

• Completed Vanderbilt Assessment Scales (available on the Resources page of this website)

Submitting these documents before your appointment helps ensure a more thorough and efficient assessment.

You can find additional ADHD-related information and resources by following the link.

Specific Learning Disorders

Specific learning disorders are common and include:

• Dyslexia (difficulties with reading)

• Dysgraphia (difficulties with writing)

• Dyscalculia (difficulties with mathematics)

3–5% of Australian students have a formal diagnosis of a specific learning disorder, although the true prevalence is likely higher.

Specific learning disorders frequently occur alongside ADHD, and it is important to consider both conditions during assessment. Information and resources for families can be found on the Resources page of this website.

If you are looking for more specific learning disorders information and resources, please click on the link.

Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression are common among Australian children, adolescents, and adults. Like many neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions, they have a strong genetic component.

Children with ADHD, autism, and specific learning disorders experience higher rates of anxiety and depression than the general population. For this reason, assessments for anxiety and depression often include consideration of these and other co-occurring conditions.

Significant anxiety or depression can have a profound impact on a child's wellbeing, affecting social relationships, school attendance and engagement, participation in activities, and family life.

As a general paediatrician, my role is primarily diagnostic and medical. This includes:

• Assessing for underlying medical or developmental conditions

• Identifying co-occurring diagnoses

• Providing advice regarding management

• Prescribing medication when appropriate

While I can assist with the medical aspects of care, I am not trained to provide psychological therapy. For most children experiencing anxiety or depression, a collaborative approach involving a psychologist or other mental health professional with expertise in paediatric care is strongly recommended.

Sleep

Disrupted, delayed, or inadequate sleep is common among children with neurodevelopmental conditions. Poor sleep can contribute to increased difficulties with attention, learning, behaviour, emotional regulation, and mental health. 

For this reason, optimising sleep is an important part of assessment and management. Good sleep habits, often referred to as "sleep hygiene", are the foundation of healthy sleep. I strongly encourage families to review evidence-based sleep hygiene strategies, which can be found through the resources provided on this website.

In some situations, medication may be helpful. The most commonly prescribed medication is melatonin, which can assist with delayed sleep onset and the regulation of sleep–wake cycles. For some children, it may also be used intermittently during periods of heightened arousal or disruption to routine.

It is also important to assess for other causes of poor sleep, such as obstructive sleep apnoea, which can be associated with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, low muscle tone, obesity, or certain neurodevelopmental conditions. Symptoms may include loud snoring, restless sleep, witnessed pauses in breathing, mouth breathing, daytime sleepiness, behavioural difficulties, or poor concentration. Where indicated, further assessment and management of sleep-disordered breathing may be recommended.

If your child snores or has pauses in their breathing at night, please bring in a video or audio of their sleep. It is best if this is done when they do not have an acute illness. 

Improving sleep can have a significant positive impact on a child's development, learning, behaviour, emotional wellbeing, and overall quality of life.

For additional sleep information and bedtime resources, please follow the link.