Dr Rebecca (Beck) Mitchell MBBS (Hon.), FRACP, PhD

Paediatrician

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Clinical Interests:

Developmental and behavioural difficulties: developmental delay, autism, learning difficulties and intellectual disability, ADHD, language difficulties, developmental differences in medical syndromes, challenging behaviours and sleep problems.   

 

Background and Training:           

Rebecca is a developmental and general paediatrician with over two decades of clinical experience and a PhD in the field of child development. She graduated from Monash University with honours and trained at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne. Rebecca undertook advanced training in developmental-behavioural paediatrics, which fostered a holistic approach to addressing factors that affect child development. As a consultant, Rebecca has worked with the Department of Neurodevelopment and Disability at the Royal Children’s Hospital and in private practice. Rebecca is a senior research fellow at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI). Rebecca focuses on understanding each child’s strengths and challenges, in the context of their family and wider community, and uses evidence-based approaches to help each child achieve their best.  As a Mum, Rebecca understands the challenges of parenting and finds working with families to make everyday life smoother deeply rewarding.   

 

Research and Memberships:

Rebecca completed her PhD with the University of Melbourne, in conjunction with the departments of Neurodevelopment and Neurology at the Royal Children’s Hospital. Her PhD investigated developmental outcomes and autism in children with a genetic condition called Tuberous Sclerosis Complex. Her research involves understanding the biological causes of autism and the way autism presents. Rebecca works with the MCRI Neurodevelopment Flagship, where she is co-chief investigator for the ‘SIGNAL study’. This study is researching developmental outcomes, with a focus on autism and cognitive skills, in children with genetic conditions. Rebecca been awarded the Leslie Eric Paddle Scholarship in Neurology, The Viola Edith Bequest and the Galli Trust Scholarship. Rebecca has presented at the RCH Developmental Medicine Symposium, The Hopkins Neurology Symposium and the Tuberous Sclerosis Association Annual Conference. She is a member of the Australasian Society for Developmental Paediatrics, and the International and Australian Societies for Autism Research.