Paediatrics Education Videos

The effect of Drug and Alcohol use on young people and the developing brain

Wednesday 14 May 2025

GPs in our region are seeing a growing number of young people affected by substance misuse.

Learn about the impacts of substances on the adolescent brain, strategies to engage young people in a conversation about substance use, harm reduction strategies, and local referral pathways.

Learning Outcomes:

• Analyse the impacts of substance use on the developing adolescent brain.
• Develop and implement effective strategies to engage young people in meaningful conversations about substance use.
• Evaluate and apply harm reduction strategies for substance use.
• Utilise knowledge of local referral pathways to support young people with substance use issues.

Speakers:

Dr. David Gordon | is a psychiatrist specialising in child and adolescent psychiatry, as well as addiction psychiatry. Dr. Gordon holds a BSc, MBBS (Hons), MPsychiatry, and is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP). He works in both public and private practice, including at the Northern Beaches Hospital and MindLife Clinic.

Dr Esther Han | GP/Addiction Specialist NSLHD Drug & Alcohol Service /Clinical Lecturer for the University of Sydney in the Discipline of Addiction Medicine, Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health.

First 2000 Days: Helping children with neurodiversity

Wednesday 7 May 2025

Learning Outcomes:

• Compare various developmental milestones and their potential implications for early childhood development
• Integrate local referral options when providing assistance to families with children facing neurodevelopmental concerns
• Develop a holistic approach to neurodevelopmental assessment

Speakers:

Dr Con Papadopoulos | Director, Child Development Service, RNSH
Con works as a specialist in paediatrics at St George and Royal North Shore hospitals, Sydney. Con has worked in tertiary Child Development Services for over 10 years and mentors medical students, allied health, as well as junior & senior doctors in neurodevelopmental paediatrics. Con has a graduate diploma in Quality improvement and Masters degree in Applied Health Management.

Navigating Behavioral Concerns in the First 2000 Days: Managing ADHD in Early Childhood – Part 2

Wednesday 2 April 2025

This session explores the treatment options for children with ADHD under the age of 6 years when medication is not usually recommended. It will identify supports for parents and carers.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder that begins in early childhood. It affects the brains executive functioning and the ability to self-regulate. Early intervention can assist parents in learning behaviour management skills and strategies to assist their children to improve attention span, and address hyperactivity and impulsivity.

Learning Outcomes:

• Describe the core diagnostic criteria for ADHD and how to differentiate it from other behavioural concerns
• Describe key factors to consider before referring children with behavioural issues for specialist assessment or intervention Identify non-medical approaches to managing ADHD and behavioural challenges to discuss with families
• Identify which specialists and services to involve when managing children with ADHD or behavioural concerns
• Determine potential cardiac contraindications and safety considerations related to ADHD medications
• Explore strategies and recourses to support families of children with behavioural issues in their communities

Speakers:

• Professor Karen Zwi – Dr Zwi is the Director Clinical Services for Child Youth and Family Health at Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD). She is a Consultant Community Paediatrician at Sydney Children’s Hospital and Conjoint Professor at the University of NSW (UNSW)
• Dr Tamasin Meller – Community Paediatrician, NSLHD
• Dr Lisa Collins – GP and First 2000 Days Project Lead

Resources:

HealthPathways Pages

• ADHD in Children and Youth
• ADHD Medications for Children and Youth
• ADHD Related Pages

Username: healthpathways
Password: gateway

Navigating Behavioral Concerns in the First 2000 Days: Managing ADHD in Early Childhood – Part 1

Wednesday 19 February 2025

This interactive online education series’ ECHO workshop is designed for professionals working with children who have ADHD or behavioral concerns.

This session covers differentiating core diagnostic criteria for ADHD from other behavioral issues, reviewing key considerations for referring children for specialist assessment or intervention, and exploring non-medical management approaches for ADHD and behavioral challenges.

Viewers will learn to identify appropriate local specialists and services for referrals, assess cardiac contraindications and safety considerations related to ADHD medications, and utilise strategies and resources to support families and engage communities.

Enhance your expertise and improve outcomes for children and their families.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

GPs, Pharmacists, Allied Health Professionals and other professionals working with young children in the Sydney North Health Network region.

Learning Outcomes:

• Differentiate core diagnostic criteria for ADHD from other behavioral concerns.
• Review key considerations before referring children with behavioral issues for specialist assessment or intervention.
• Explore non-medical approaches to managing ADHD and behavioral challenges to discuss with families.
• Refer appropriately to local specialists and services when managing children with ADHD or behavioral concerns.
• Assess cardiac contraindications and safety considerations related to ADHD medications.
• Utilise appropriate strategies and resources to support families of children with behavioral issues in their communities.

Speakers:

• Professor Karen Zwi – Dr Zwi is the Director Clinical Services for Child Youth and Family Health at Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD). She is a Consultant Community Paediatrician at Sydney Children’s Hospital and Conjoint Professor at the University of NSW (UNSW)
• Dr Tamasin Meller – Community Paediatrician, NSLHD
• Dr Maria Liddy – GP and the First 2000 Days Clinical Lead, SNHN

Resources:

HealthPathways Pages

• ADHD in Children and Youth
• ADHD Medications for Children and Youth
• ADHD Related Pages

Username: healthpathways
Password: gateway

ADHD: Emotional Regulation in the Early Years and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Prevention

Wednesday 22 February 2023

This webinar aims to empower GPs to confidently address family concerns that a child may have ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder).

Viewers will also be provided with an update on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) prevention in our region, as well as ideas around starting the conversation with women who drinking before/during pregnancy.

Learning Outcomes:

• Integrate Blue Book ‘Learn the Signs. Act Early’ checks for all 0-4yo’s patients in general practice using a systematic approach
• Assess challenges with emotion and behaviour regulation in the early years, including family concern about possible attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• Determine ‘red flags’ and refer early for improved childhood outcomes
• Recognise the variety of conditions that fall under Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
• Identify therapeutic engagement strategies for women who are drinking alcohol in the peripartum period

Speakers:

• Dr Yvette Vella | NSLHD Staff Specialist Developmental Paediatrician
• Dr Esther Han | NSLHD Drug & Alcohol Staff Specialist & GP
• Vicki Laing | NSLHD Child and Family Health: General Practice-Community Liaison Nurse
• Megan Leckie | Community Engagement Officer, Early Childhood Program
• Diane Russell | CNS 2 NSLHD Substance Use in Pregnancy and Parenting Service

Early Infant Feeding

Thursday 17 March 2022

In this webinar, our experienced facilitators provide you with an update on supports available for lactating women and information on the  variety of formulas on the market. This engaging webinar conculdes with an engaging and informative Q&A session.

Learning Outcomes:

The purpose of this webinar is to:

• Provide an update on the supports available for lactating women
• Increase participants’ understanding of the variety of formulas on the market

Speakers:

Jean Paterson – Jean Is a Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife. She has a Graduate Diploma of Medical/Surgical   Nursing and a Master of Child and Family Health Nursing.

Caroline Hill – Paediatric Dietitian, NSLHD

Vicki Laing – CNS2 – NSLHD Child and Family Health: General Practice-Community Liaison Nurse

Resources:

Early Infant Feeding Slides

A Framework for Developmental and Behavioural Concerns in Children 0-5 Years – the First 2000 Days

Thursday 12 November 2020

Speakers:

• Dr Jane Son, MB BS FRACP Developmental and Behavioural Paediatrician, NSLHD Child & Family Health Service.
• Amanda Rummery-Hoy, Family Counsellor, Family Care Centre, Dalwood, NSLHD Child & Family Health Services.
• Alison O’Toole and Renee Giacomin, The Cerebral Palsy Alliance, CPA are NDIS Administrators for the Northern Sydney Region.
• Vicki Laing, RN & Midwife, General Practice Community Liaison Nurse, NSLHD Child and Family Health Service.

Resources:

Click here to view the presentation.

Child developmental Surveillance: Speech and Language Development in Children 0-5 Years – the First 2000 Days

Wednesday 22 July 2020

Speakers:

• Dr Jane Son, MB BS FRACP Developmental and Behavioural Paediatrician, NSLHD Child & Family Health Service.
• Natalie Reeves, BAppSc(ScPath) Speech Pathologist, NSLHD Child & Family Health Services.
• Vicki Laing, RN & Midwife, General Practice Community Liaison Nurse, NSLHD Child and Family Health Service.

Resources:

Click here to view the presentation.