Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology (CDPP)
A conjoint clinical research centre of Monash University’s Faculty of Medicine and Southern Health’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAHMS).
Established in December 1989 at Monash University by Professor Bruce Tonge, this conjoint clinical research centre has a mission to be Australia’s leading clinical research centre in developmental psychiatry.As the director of this centre, Professor Bruce Tonge has a distinguished record of teaching and research in child psychiatry. He has research and teaching interests in the area of developmental psychiatry with a particular focus in the areas of Autism Spectrum Disorders and behavioural and emotional disturbance in children and adolescents with intellectual disability and treatment outcome studies in childhood anxiety and depressive disorders.
CDPP has developed an effective parent education and skills program for families with adolescents with autism. Victorian Early Childhood Services has funded a project (ACT – NOW), which will enable CDPP to train early childhood professionals throughout Victoria in effective methods of screening, assessment and parent-centered management of young children with autism.