New national research and health network tackles delays in developmental support for children

A new national research and health network is looking to improve support for children with neurodevelopmental differences.

The Australian Child Neurodevelopment Learning Health Network has received funding from the Medical Research Future Fund for $3 million. The network, led by Professor Adam Guastella, Dr Kelsie Boulton and Professor Natalie Silove, links researchers, clinicians, health services, policy makers, and families.

“Families often face long wait times, disconnected services and limited access to evidence-based supports,” Professor Guastella said in the 12 November announcement by the University of Sydney.

Connecting research and family experience to improve care

The network will build national digital infrastructure including creating an Australian Child Neurodevelopment Registry. Personalised tools will also be created to assist with assessing children and providing the right support.

This will create an integrated system between research, clinical care and children. Data collected during care can be used to improve services.

"By learning directly from children and families we will be able to create improved pathways to care and support," Dr Boulton said. University of Sydney

Digital tools already saving clinicians time

This project builds upon previous work to develop digital assessment tools. Automated scoring tools and feedback tools for clinicians were implemented into standard developmental assessments at The Children's Hospital at Westmead in September.

Over 1380 assessments have been completed using automated scoring, saving clinicians at least 691 hours of time. A second developmental assessment service started using this approach in July 2026.

The findings and infrastructure from the previous project has helped to provide a foundation for this larger research project. The national network will build upon this. The real test will be if improvements in the assessment process lead to timely and integrated support for children and families. Sydney Health Partners

Read the University of Sydney’s announcement about the Australian Child Neurodevelopment Learning Health Network