Dr Leila Masson, Sydney (2026)

11/03/2026

Are you a parent or caregiver living in Australia? Researchers at Macquarie University want to hear from you to help understand how to better support families navigating PANS/PANDAS.

This study is being led by Sam Cuming, a Registered Psychologist and PhD Candidate, alongside Professor Maria Kangas and Professor Naomi Sweller. Their goal is to use your insights to improve professional training, resources, and services.

Who can help? We are looking for primary or joint caregivers (18+) living in Australia who can read/write English comfortably:

PANS/PANDAS Group: Parents of children (aged 4–18) diagnosed or strongly suspected of PANS/PANDAS, with symptoms starting at least a year ago.

Comparison Group: Parents of children (aged 4–18) with no medical, mental health, or neurodevelopmental conditions.

What’s involved?
An anonymous online survey (15–30 minutes).
A chance to win 1 of 5 $50 e-gift vouchers.
Optional follow-up interview.

Ready to participate? Scan the QR code in the image or visit the link below to get started: tinyurl.com/ParentSupportNeeds
This study has been approved by the Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee (Ref: 520251806763690).

01/03/2026

Family dinners aren’t only about togetherness or good table manners — they quietly shape your child’s relationship with food for life. 🧠✨

Research shows that when children eat separate “kids’ meals”, those meals are often less nutritious. But when kids eat the same food as adults, something powerful happens:
🥕 they try new foods
🥦 they eat more vegetables
❤️ they develop healthier habits naturally

Here’s the real secret: model enjoyment, not nutrition lectures.
Instead of saying “this is healthy for you”, try “wow, this carrot is so crunchy and delicious!” 😋

Do this consistently for a few weeks and you’ll notice a shift.
Because children don’t do what we tell them — they do what they see.

Do this consistently for a few weeks, and you’ll notice a shift..

18/02/2026

Did you know that half of the population has experienced at least one Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE)?

Trauma isn't just "in the head." When we experience chronic stress as children—from neglect to bullying—our bodies stay in a state of high alert. This constant flood of cortisol can change our brain chemistry and impact our physical health decades later.

But here is the most important part: It is never too late to provide help. By fostering resilience and emotional regulation, we can change the trajectory of a life.

13/02/2026

When a child has PANS, their brain symptoms—like sudden OCD, anxiety, rage, or emotional shutdown—are often driven by neuro-inflammation, not behaviour.

This is where Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) can be a powerful tool in the right hands.

At very low doses, LDN works with the immune system, not against it. Instead of switching immunity off, it modulates immune signalling, helping to quiet the inflammatory cascade that fuels PANS flares.
LDN also gently nudges the brain to make more of its own endorphins, supporting mood regulation, sleep, pain control, and immune balance. At the same time, it reduces inflammatory messengers like IL-6 and TNF-alpha, which are commonly elevated in neuroimmune conditions.

Originally used at high doses for addiction, LDN behaves very differently at micro-doses—and is now used worldwide in integrative care for PANS, autoimmune conditions, long COVID, IBD, arthritis, and MS.

It’s not an overnight fix, but many families notice meaningful shifts within weeks when inflammation begins to settle.

Want my step-by-step clinical handout on using LDN for PANS?
Comment LDN below and we’ll send you the details.

07/02/2026

Is your child's tech habit rewriting their brain?

We might have 2026 technology, but we’re still running on ancient "software." Our brains haven’t changed since we were hunter-gatherers, meaning they function best when we’re active, outdoors, and hanging out in person—not just behind a controller.

With 90% of kids gaming daily, it’s easy to forget that too much screen time can actually dull our emotional responsiveness and leave us feeling disconnected. Nature and movement aren't just "hobbies"—they are biological requirements for a happy mind.

Challenge: Swap 30 minutes of screen time for a walk outside today. Your brain will thank you!

31/01/2026

When a child is diagnosed with PANS, it feels like they disappeared overnight. But the "psychiatric" symptoms—the OCD, the rage, the anxiety—are often symptoms of an inflamed brain.

Healing requires a "bottom-up" approach:
1️⃣ Confirming inflammation.
2️⃣ Removing the infection.
3️⃣ Resolving the brain's immune response.

Whether it’s through targeted nutrients like NAC and Omega-3s or more clinical interventions like IVIG, there is a path forward.

Does your practitioner look at the link between infection and behaviour?

25/01/2026

Do evenings feel chaotic right before dinner? 😅
Many kids — especially those with ADHD — hit a period of high energy + low regulation, making it tough to settle at the table.

Here’s a simple strategy that really works 👇
Give them a movement reset before mealtime.

A quick burst of activity — trampoline time, running up the driveway, or 60 seconds of star jumps — helps release adrenaline, calm the nervous system, and shift the body into “rest & digest” mode.

Progressive schools use movement breaks to improve focus… and the same magic works beautifully at home.

Movement isn’t a distraction — it’s regulation. 🧠✨

Try a 1–2 minute movement break before dinner and see how much easier settling becomes.

Try a 1–2 minute movement break before dinner and see how much easier settling becomes.

21/01/2026

Did you know?

A child who develops OCD, extreme anxiety, or food refusal suddenly — alongside mood swings, irritability, sleep issues, learning difficulties, tics, or physical symptoms — may not be “acting out.”

This pattern can be seen in PANS (Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) — a medical condition driven by inflammation and immune dysregulation, not parenting or behaviour alone.

The good news: early recognition matters.
A whole-child, root-cause approach — looking at immune health, gut function, nutrient deficiencies, sleep, and nervous system regulation — can significantly improve outcomes.

If your child has changed overnight, trust your instincts and seek informed support.
Healing starts with understanding.

18/01/2026

Pregnant or breastfeeding? Here’s one nutrient you can’t afford to miss…

Vitamin D isn’t just about bones and immunity. During pregnancy, it’s like a tiny superhero for both mum and baby:
✨ Lowers your risk of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm birth
✨ Helps baby grow strong and healthy
✨ Even reduces your child’s future risk of developmental challenges, autism, and autoimmune conditions

Most of us in colder months are running low (hello frequent colds and winter bugs 👀). That’s why checking your vitamin D — and topping it up if needed — is one of the simplest, most affordable ways to protect your long-term health and your child’s future.

Aim for around 100 nmol/L. If you’re under 80, it’s time to talk supplements with your doctor.
The recommendation for vitamin D for pregnant women is 4000 IU daily:https://ranzcog.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/Vitamin-Mineral-Supplementation-Pregnancy.pdf

Keeping your vitamin D in the optimal range is one of the easiest steps you can take for a smoother pregnancy and a healthier start for your baby.

13/01/2026

Anxiety in children isn’t just about emotions—it’s deeply connected to their body, brain, and environment. Small, consistent changes can gently guide their nervous system back to calm.

• Start with real food—less ultra-processed snacks, more colourful whole foods to soothe brain inflammation.
• Feed their gut: aim for a rainbow of veggies each day to support mood-boosting bacteria.
• Protect sleep like medicine—quality and quantity matter more than we realise.
• Get outdoors daily: movement + nature is powerful nervous-system therapy.
• Teach calm through breathing, relaxation, and simple mindfulness.
• Reduce exposure to environmental chemicals where possible.

Sometimes anxiety is the body asking for support:
• Iron (pale, tired?)
• Zinc (frequent infections, irritability?)
• Magnesium (restless legs, poor sleep?)
• Omega-3 (dry, bumpy skin?)

Gentle plant allies can help too—chamomile, lemon balm, L-theanine, valerian, and calming essential oils like lavender and rose.

Anxious kids don’t need fixing—they need support, nourishment, and safety. Calm is something we can teach.

10/01/2026

Fibre isn’t just about regular bowels — it’s one of the most powerful tools we have for brain health, behaviour, and emotional regulation.

When children eat enough fibre, they feed beneficial gut bacteria. Those bacteria help produce key neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which influence mood, attention, motivation, and learning.

Many children — especially those with ADHD or sensory sensitivities — eat far less fibre than they need. Picky eating, beige foods, and low plant diversity all reduce gut resilience.

Small, realistic changes can make a big difference:
• Add chopped veggies to lunchboxes
• Stir chia seeds into porridge or yoghurt
• Add lentils or beans to soups and sauces
• Blend a gentle fibre source into smoothies

Even modest fibre increases can help support a healthier gut microbiome, calm gut inflammation, and influence brain inflammation — improving behaviour from the inside out.

This is foundational nutrition. Simple. Powerful.

Save this for later or share with a parent or practitioner who needs this reminder. Type FOOD in the comments for more tips on Nutrition and ADHD.

Dr Leila Masson

11/03/2026

01/03/2026

18/02/2026

13/02/2026

07/02/2026

31/01/2026

25/01/2026

21/01/2026

18/01/2026

13/01/2026

10/01/2026

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Practice

Shortcuts

Share

Category