Dr Leila Masson

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Dr Leila Masson

Up-to-date research about children and health: covering my area of professional interest ranging fro

06/05/2026

PANS/PANDAS mental health care needs better guidance. YOU can help change that.

If you’re a parent/caregiver or clinician—YOUR VOICE MATTERS.
💪✨ Be part of what comes next.

Scan the QR code (or screenshot to access the link from your photos) and help shape what better care looks like for families worldwide. 🌎💕

📣 Know someone who should be part of this? Please share this post and help us reach more voices.

Mental Health Clinician Survey - https://chapmanu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eVUFn6VjUP38OYS
Parent/Caregiver Survey - https://chapmanu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6W4T1lQW5qeda3

27/04/2026

The "Heart" Skills > Hard Skills

We spend years ensuring our kids can recite history dates and solve complex equations, but are we giving them the tools to navigate a heated argument or build a lasting friendship?

The data is in: Social connections and emotional intelligence are the most powerful predictors of long-term health and happiness—even outranking diet and exercise!

Education isn’t just about what’s in the textbooks; it’s about how we show up for one another. As adults, we are the primary "role models" for conflict resolution. Every time we choose respect over being "right," we are teaching a masterclass in social skills.

If your child is struggling to navigate their emotions or past stress, remember that therapeutic tools like CBT or EMDR, combined with creative outlets like journaling and dance, can make all the difference.

Let's raise a generation that is as kind as they are clever.

What is one social skill you think should be taught in every classroom? Comment below! 👇

15/04/2026

If your child refuses breakfast on school mornings, it’s not always picky eating or stubbornness. Often, their body simply isn’t awake yet. 🌅

Our digestive system runs on a circadian rhythm, just like the brain. When kids don’t get enough sleep, their appetite hormones lag behind—so forcing food rarely works.

Instead of pressure, look at bedtime first. Kids who get adequate sleep often wake naturally and feel ready to eat. And if mornings are still rushed? Flexibility is key.

Think “breakfast on demand”:
🥣 Overnight oats with fruit, nuts, and seeds
🥤 A nutrient-dense smoothie they can sip later at school

Getting something into their tummy—when their body is ready—supports focus, energy, and learning. Breakfast doesn’t have to be at the kitchen table at 7am to count.
Sleep, timing, and gentle nutrition can change everything. 💛

26/03/2026

If mealtimes feel like a daily showdown, it might be time to change the strategy. Instead of pushing vegetables on your child, invite them into the process. When kids help choose produce at the market, wash carrots, stir a pot, or peel cucumbers, something powerful happens — curiosity replaces resistance.

Hands-on food prep builds confidence, supports sensory tolerance, and helps children feel safe exploring new foods at their own pace. This approach is especially helpful for kids with sensory sensitivities or picky eating patterns, but honestly… it works for most kids.

No pressure. No bribes. Just connection, curiosity, and a kitchen that becomes a place of learning and fun. Many children who once refused veggies surprise their parents by becoming proud little helpers — and yes, sometimes even mini chefs

Progress over perfection. Involvement over insistence. Comment FOOD below to get my top tips on nutrition

eater

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.

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