Our research seeks to understand the biological and environmental aetiology, prevalence, and epidemiology of childhood development and mental health. Research conducted at the unit also focuses on clinical intervention and outcomes. At the Academic Unit of Infant, Child, and Adolescent Psychiatry Services (AUCS), we work closely with the community to facilitate integrated clinical and research activities, ensuring better outcomes for children from pregnancy through to the adolescence.
Our goals
Our goal is to transform local research and clinical practice while also addressing the key global health issue of neurodevelopmental and child mental health conditions delivering local action with a global impact.
Our key projects include:
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Through an NHMRC partnership grant, we’re evaluating an innovative digital tool for developmental surveillance by engaging parents using opportunistic contacts via GP clinics.
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Using a COVID-19 grant from NSW Health, we are implementing and evaluating the WMG-E platform in addressing child development, parental mental health needs, and social care needs in multicultural and rural communities.
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Through an MRFF grant, we are implementing and evaluating a tiered care model to improve earlier detection of children with developmental delay; increase access and engagement with early targeted intervention; improve health and social care for families via integrated hubs and Service Navigators among priority population groups (socioeconomically disadvantaged and culturally and linguistically diverse communities).
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In collaboration with the Autism Cooperative Research Centre grant, we are leading a research program involving six centres with special needs in Australia.
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We’re working with young people from multicultural backgrounds to identify research priorities and deliver innovative solutions to child health and mental health issues through the Youth Advisory Council of Liverpool Boys and Girls Schools.
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In a Randomised Controlled Trial for young people with a neurodevelopmental disorder on antipsychotic medication, we’re piloting a medication optimisation, metabolic monitoring, and lifestyle intervention through the NHMRC Million Minds Grant, Growing Minds Australia, NHMRC clinical trials network in child and youth mental health.
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As part of the Perinatal Infant Mental Health - Emerging Priorities grant, we’re evaluating the Connect and Care program in conjunction with Karitane, the Australian Association of Parenting and Child Health (AAPCH), and the Parenting Research Centre.
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We’re providing support to the Ministry of Health in the development of the State-wide evaluation framework and conducting an in-depth evaluation of impact and implementation in South West Sydney Local Health District.
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We are conducting a Clinical trial of Medicinal Cannabis, Integrated Cognitive Behavioural Intervention for Tics, a novel intervention for functional tic disorder, group CBIT for Tic disorders.
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Review of evidence related to the implementation of the First 2000 Days Brighter Beginnings program and the implementation of the developmental checks and digital Blue Book program.
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Commonwealth Government and NDIS initiated Autism Policy and National Guideline for supporting the learning, participation, and wellbeing of autistic children in Australia.
Research strengths
Integration within clinical settings
- Clinician involvement in research
- Translation to practice
- Research mentoring and support for clinicians
Engagement with consumers and community
- Focus on voices of children and young people through co-design and participatory research.
Multidisciplinary collaboration with other research groups
- Led the Early Life Determinants of Health (ELDoH) Clinical Academic Group under the Sydney Partnership for Health Education Research and Enterprise.
- The Telethon Institute and the Origins study, Western Australia.
- The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the Centre for Community Child Health, Melbourne on a NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence on Childhood Adversity.
Our results
- Watch Me Grow-Electronic (WMG-E) platform for empowering families to detect developmental problems early:
- Käld E et al (2022). Exploring the modifiers for the effect of neurodevelopmental disorders on the risk of bullying victimization. . This study published in JAMA Paediatrics on understanding the risk factors will have significant impact on developing appropriate preventative strategies for bullying in the context of neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Eapen V., Usherwood T. (2022). Assessing tics in children. This invited review in The British Medical Journal will be a landmark paper for the assessment and management of tic disorders in children internationally.
- Robertson MM*., Eapen V* et al (2017). Tourette Syndrome. A comprehensive review in Nature Reviews Disease Primer.
- Baker JR., Silove D., Horswood D., Al-Shammari A., Mohsin M., Rees S., Eapen V (2021). PLOS Medicine 2021, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003512 - Longitudinal cohort study of refugee parent’s school engagement and children’s wellbeing involving 5 South West Sydney schools highlighting ‘sense of belonging’ to the school as a facilitator of acculturation.
- Masi A., Mendoza Diaz A., Tully L., Mendoza Diaz A., Azim S., Woolfenden S., Efron D., Eapen V. (2021). -In a survey of over 300 caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disability, 65% of children and 75% of parents reported adverse impact on their mental health and wellbeing; just 30% felt telehealth works for their children.
- Hu N et al. (2022). The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric health service use within one year after the first pandemic outbreak in New South Wales Australia – a time series analysis.
Our experts
Research Officers
- Christa Lam-Cassettari
- James John
- Jess Brandt
- Muhammad Umar
Research Assistants
- Patrick Hawker
- Zachary Studniberg
Clinical Registrars and Trainees
- Dr Cameron Donnet
- Dr Ria Mittal
Tic Clinic
The 91É«ÇéƬ Tic Clinic is currently running interventions for children and adolescents with primary tic disorders and functional tic disorders.
Tic Surf School
Tic Surf School (TSS) is a 10-session urge acceptance behavioural intervention for children and adolescents with a primary tic disorder including Tourette syndrome and Chronic Tic Disorders. There are two formats of the intervention: (a) TSS Group for children aged 8 to 12 years, delivered in a group format; and (b) TSS Individual for adolescents aged 8 to 17 years, delivered one-on-one by a trained psychologist.
The program aims to:
- Increase the young person’s understanding of tics.
- Build self-esteem and confidence about their tics.
- Increase awareness of tics and tic urges.
- Develop strategies to tolerate tic urges and to increase their control of their tics.
- Increase understanding and strategies to manage environmental, emotional, and cognitive factors that increase tics and tics urges.
Integrated Cognitive Behavioural intervention for Functional Tics (I CBiT)
I-CBiT is a specialised treatment approach for managing functional tic-like behaviours in adolescents aged 12-17 years. This intervention combines traditional behavioural techniques used in tic management with third-wave cognitive behavioural therapies. This program is delivered one-on-one by a trained psychologist. Following the 10-week program young people are discharged back to local services for ongoing support.
The program aims to:
- Increase the young person’s understanding of their diagnosis, possible reasons for developing tic symptoms and strategies to help.
- Develop strategies to accept urges and control tic symptoms.
- Increase understanding of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that may be contributing to tic symptoms, and strategies to help.
- Work with family and school to support the young person and their treatment.
Relevant publications
Maxwell, A., Zouki, J.-J., & Eapen, V. (2023). Integrated cognitive behavioural intervention for functional tics (I-CBiT): case reports and treatment formulation. Frontiers in Paediatrics, 11. Doi 10.3389/fped.2023.1265123
Our affiliate partners
- AUCS: