ADHD & Your Child's Health: What Testing Can Reveal (And Why It Matters)

 ADHD & Your Child's Health: What Testing Can Reveal (And Why It Matters)

When it comes to supporting a child with ADHD, most parents are handed a pretty short list: medication, behaviour therapy, and maybe some diet advice. But what if there’s more we can look at — and what if it could make a big difference?
In my clinic, I often see children with ADHD-like symptoms who are dealing with much more than what’s on the surface. Underneath the meltdowns, the restlessness, the trouble focusing — there can be real, measurable imbalances happening in the body.
Here are two powerful tools I use to help uncover them:

1. Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA). HTMA is a simple, non-invasive test that looks at the minerals and metals in your child’s body using a small hair sample. Why is this helpful?

• Low zinc or magnesium can affect concentration and mood
• High copper can drive anxiety, overwhelm and hyperactivity
• Heavy metals like lead, aluminium or mercury can impair brain function and worsen symptoms

These aren’t always picked up in blood tests — and yet they can have a huge effect on your child’s wellbeing.

2. Microbiome Testing. The gut and brain are deeply connected — so it makes sense that when the gut is struggling, the brain can too.
Microbiome testing helps us understand:

• Whether your child has the right balance of good gut bacteria
• If inflammation or leaky gut could be affecting behaviour
• Hidden infections or overgrowths that contribute to symptoms like irritability, tummy pain, and poor sleep

When we bring the gut back into balance, kids often feel calmer, more settled and more in control of their emotions.

Putting the Pieces Together
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to kids and ADHD. But when we have real data, we can:
✔️ Personalise diet and lifestyle strategies
✔️ Replenish key nutrients
✔️ Support detox pathways
✔️ Reduce the burden on the nervous system
And we can do it in a way that feels gentle, natural and supportive — not overwhelming.

Want to explore this for your child? I offer both HTMA and microbiome testing in the clinic, and I work with families to create plans that actually work in real life — even for fussy eaters and busy schedules.
The clinic is in Bendigo if you prefer in person appointments.
Online appointments are also available.
You'll find a friendly space where you and your child are always understood and welcomed.

​If you're ready to look a little deeper, I’m here for you. Let’s support your child’s amazing brain to thrive,

Ally Chick, ND