Assessment and treatment for ADHD and Adult ADHD in Melbourne

ADHD, Adult ADHD learning difficulties, dyslexia, autism, IBS and bowel dysfunction. have underlying causes, which we are committed to investigating and treating.

We are a multidisciplinary clinic which provides medical, psychological, educational, speech, neuroscience and microbiology assessment and treatment services to children, teenagers and adults with ADHD in Melbourne and wider Victoria. We also accept clients from all over Australia and Overseas.

Our clinical team is also engaged in researching and in publishing studies that investigate the underlying factors associated with autism, ADHD, learning difficulties and other neurodevelopmental disorders. We are committed to finding better means of addressing these factors to promote better outcomes.

Services include initial assessments, diagnosis, treatment and progress monitoring for children and adults.

Assessments "when indicated", may include:

• Biomedical investigations such as blood tests for key nutrient factors that are necessary for the function of brain cells.
• Faecal Microbiology to investigate bowel dysfunction that may underpin nutrient deficiencies.
• Psychological tests for anxiety, depression and mood disorders.
• Educational testing including IQ tests,speech and language assessments.
• Test of Variables of Attention to assess aspects of the attention system.
• Screening for genetic polymorphisms (genetic weaknesses) that  predispose to modern diseases.

Diagnosis and treatment formulation:

• Diagnosis of learning difficulties, receptive language disorder, dyslexia, behavioural disorders or difficulties, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and neurodevelopmental disorders.
• Treatment formulation may include (as required) psychological, listening programs, dietary recommendations, nutritional supplementation, and Neurotherapy.
• Recommendations for intervention and management at home and school
• Assistance with funding applications.

Interventions for children and adolescents:

• ADHD diet and nutritional recommendations, based on blood test results.
• In-Clinic, home and school-based interventions.
• In-Clinic or Home-based Neurotherapy (Neurofeedback) for Attention deficits and performance enhancement.
• Speech and language therapy, including Fast Forword or the Listening Program.
• Treatment for poor impulse control, poor concentration and distractibility or ADHD.
• Therapy for Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD).
• Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) using PRT method for Autism Spectrum Disorder.
• Cognitive therapies for anxiety and depression.
• Counseling for development of psycho-social skill.
• Movement exercises for dyspraxia and for extinguishing primordial reflexes
• Literacy programs: one-on-one assistance or computer based tutoring.
• Programs for child’s transition to school and integration into the classroom.

Interventions for adults include:

• Assessment and treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and nutrients for anxiety and depression.
• Neurotherapy and nutrient supplementation for adult ADHD.
• Nutritional protocols for a range of disorders such as diabetes, cardio vascular disease etc.

ADHD

ADHD assessment and biomedical treatment booklet. For some children, medication may be useful in the short-term to improve attention and control some fidgety, hyperactive behaviours and help the child settle in school. However, research and clinical practice indicates that for most children ADHD can be treated effectively and with long-term results without drugs, with an approach incorporating an ADHD diet. Download...

Dyslexia and Learning Difficulties

Learning difficulties, Dyslexia, reading, writing and maths difficulties may originate from essential nutrient deficiencies during early years of brain development. These causal factors can be assessed and treated effectively, resulting in marked improvements. Nutritional supplements can optimise brain function and Neurotherapy can retrain brain activity. Read more...

Autism

The Behavioural Neurotherapy Clinic is a FaHCSIA panel provider. At the clinic, diagnosis, biomedical assessment and treatment protocols are based on the most up to date scientific findings in autism research. The Clinic's multidisciplinary team includes a medical practitioner, psychologists, speech therapist, occupational therapist, nutritionist and clinical neuroscientist. Some team members receive ongoing training in nutritional and environmental medicine (biomedical treatment) others are involved in ongoing research at the Brain Sciences Institute to find addressable causes and treatment options for children with autism. Read more on our Autism Website...

IBS

ADHD symptoms, anxiety and depression are often associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Recent research indicates that IBS affects at least 20% of the western world and is on the increase. Research by the Mount Sinai Hospital Psychiatric Department in New York has revealed that 70-90% of people with IBS also report psychiatric symptoms, mostly anxiety and depression. Read more on our IBS website  or  Download a one page PDF handout...

Anxiety and Depression

ADHD can be secondary to Anxiety and depression. 70-90% of people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) also suffer from Anxiety and Depression. Treating the IBS considerably improves or normalises symptoms of ADHD, anxiety, panic and depression. In some cases psychological factors may need to be addressed with cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). IBS, anxiety, panic and depression can be treated effectively without drugs. Read more...

Alzheimer's Dementia

Alzheimer's dementia starts to develop years before full symptoms are apparent. The early symptoms are so similar to depression with mild memory loss that conventional neuropsychological testing cannot differentiate between them until it’s too late and irreversible damage to brain cells are already happening. However QEEG brainmapping has been shown in a number of studies to differentiate between the two disorders with high specificity up to 12 years before full-blown symptoms are seen. Recent research indicates that Alzheimers dementia is caused by tiny bleeds in micro-vessels in the brain, forming the amyloid-beta protein responsible for dementia. There are also nutrients known for their ability to strengthen the capillaries and break up amyloid-beta protein. Read more...

QEEG Brainmapping

The brain electrical activity of children with ADHD, learning difficulties and other childhood disorders can be effectively analysed using QEEG. There is a considerable body of neuroscience research indicating that QEEG can differentiate ADHD from other disorders and lead to effective treatment options, without the use of drugs. QEEG is used in specialist clinics worldwide to identify those brain areas which are dysfunctional and cause attention deficits and learning difficulties. The FDA has now approved QEEG analysis as an adjunct in the differential diagnosis of ADHD. Read more...

Neurotherapy

Neurotherapy for ADHD involves retraining abnormal brain electrical activity through brainwave biofeedback. There is now strong evidence indicating that neurotherapy can redress brainwave patterns and improve or normalise epilepsy, ADHD, learning difficulties and mood problems in approximately 80% of children with these difficulties which rob them of their potential to learn effectively. Read more...

Post-concussion Syndrome

Post-concussion syndrome can mimic ADHD, anxiety, depression, anger problems and other disorders. Even a minor blow to the head, with or without loss of consciousness, can cause changes in mood and personality and affect concentration and focus. Find out why and how to treat the condition effectively with nutrients and neurotherapy. Read more...

Nutrigenomic DNA Testing (from Smart DNA)

DNA testing in a genetics panel is now available for 72 genes and their single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPS). These cover areas such as lipid metabolism, blood pressure, inflammation, Phase I and Phase II detox (including glutathione and NAT genes), as well as methylation, vitamin D receptors, lactose intolerance, oxidative stress, homocysteine, diabetes, metal binding profile, APOE, APOA, APOC. A comprehensive report is provided outlining risk factors for modern diseases and best of all dietary, nutritional and lifestyle recommendations provided to minimise those risks. The testing is very useful for targeted nutritional recommendations for depression, cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular risk, autism, cancer, chronic fatigue, diabetes, ADHD (custom ADHD diets), and other modern diseases where oxidative stress and inflammation play a major role.

Nutrition

The World Health Organisation, the US National Institute of health, the NHMRC and major Medical and Nutritional Science journals have all published research indicating that we are not getting adequate nutrients from our modern diet of processed foods grown in impoverished soils with chemical fertilisers and with antibiotics, preservatives and additives added. Worse still, some children do not eat enough fruit and vegetables and are therefore lacking essential nutrients for cellular and brain function. The treatment modalities used at the clinic aim to address possible underlying nutritional factors that have a profound influence on our cellular structures and function and on brain connectivity.

The contents of this web site are intended for information purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or form the basis for self diagnosis or treatment of anxiety, depression, ADHD, learning difficulties, autism, IBS or other disorders. Please consult the health professionals at the clinic for diagnosis and advice on treatment options applicable in your circumstances.