Child Development Clinic

Get to know Child Development Clinic

From Child Development Clinic's website.

• Our approach

  Child Development Clinic uses a comprehensive, strengths-based approach to understanding each child within their home and school environment. Initial assessments include detailed history, observation, examination, psychometric testing, brain mapping and computerised medication testing as needed, allowing the team to identify both strengths and areas of difficulty. The psychology team provides evidence-based therapeutic interventions tailored to each child's specific presentation, including cognitive behaviour therapy, family counselling, behaviour management strategies, parenting support and social skills training. Sessions are individualised and structured around the child's needs—psychology appointments are typically 50 minutes, while paediatric reviews vary from 2-2.5 hours depending on assessment requirements. The clinic's philosophy emphasises helping children and families reach their potential by understanding the full picture of each child's developmental and behavioural needs.

• Working with families

  The clinic is committed to a collaborative, family-centred approach where parents and carers are actively involved in their child's care. During the detailed initial assessment, families are engaged through comprehensive history-taking and discussion of their child's home and school environment. The psychology team works with families to address emotional difficulties, behaviour problems, anxiety and other concerns, offering parenting strategies and family counselling alongside individual therapy. Parents are also invited to attend evidence-based group programs such as "Tuning into Kids," which provides training for parents and carers in emotion coaching techniques to support their child's emotional development. The clinic emphasises a collaborative philosophy, working together with families, educators and other professionals to support each child's wellbeing.

• Meet the team

  The clinic has a multidisciplinary team including four Developmental Paediatricians (Dr Berlinda Yeoh, Dr Pooja Kashyap, Dr Nicky Edmunds and Dr Sadaf Cheema), all of whom are Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians with specialist training in neurodevelopmental and behavioural disorders. Two Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists (Dr James Wickramasuriya and Dr Anjana Thazhissery) are available for mental health assessment and management, and a Young Adult ADHD specialist (Dr Ryan Mitchell, a GP with additional training in ADHD) leads the transition service for young people aged 18 and over. The registered psychology team includes Tom Ertas and Kirsten Mar, both with extensive experience supporting children with autism, ADHD, anxiety, depression and behavioural difficulties. All team members have special interest and experience in neurodevelopmental and behavioural disorders in children and adolescents.

• Your first visit

  The initial assessment with a Developmental Paediatrician varies in length from a half-day (4 hours) to a full day (8 hours if medication testing is requested), depending on what assessments your child needs. The appointment includes thorough history-taking, observation and examination, psychometric assessment, brain mapping and computerised medication testing as appropriate. The clinic emphasises the importance of direct observation and interaction with your child rather than relying solely on previous reports, so the team can provide independent, accurate assessment and understand the full picture of your child's strengths and limitations. After the initial assessment, regular follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor progress and provide ongoing support and advice as required.