19/08/2026
As parents, it's natural to focus on what we can see, meltdowns, poor concentration, tummy troubles, fussy eating or trouble sleeping. These behaviours are challenging, and while they can seem unrelated, they're sometimes clues to something deeper going on in a child's developing body and brain.
At least 1 in 40 Australians are on the autism spectrum, and ADHD affects an estimated 6 to 10 per cent of Australian children and adolescents. Digestive symptoms like constipation, bloating and abdominal pain are more common in children with neurodevelopmental conditions than in the general paediatric population, and they can affect comfort, sleep, mood and everyday participation.
The gut and brain are constantly communicating through what's known as the gut brain axis, a network involving the nervous system, immune system, hormones and the gut microbiome. Stress can affect digestion, digestive discomfort can affect sleep, and poor sleep can in turn affect behaviour. Rather than viewing these as separate problems, understanding how they interact can offer real insight into a child's overall health.
Every child is different. Two children with the same diagnosis can have completely different symptoms, nutritional needs and gut health, which is why a one size fits all approach rarely works.
Amanda Downsborough, Functional Medicine Practitioner and founder of Brain Kids, works with families to explore these interconnected factors and build personalised, evidence informed strategies that complement conventional medical care, particularly for children with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions.
If your child's behaviour, sleep or digestion has left you with more questions than answers, it may be worth looking at the bigger picture rather than each symptom in isolation. Amanda explores this further on Health Hunter, https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01hF4d0
