Personal profile
Research interests
Dr Beth Johnson's research is focused on reducing barriers to care and improving the diagnostic process for neurodivergent children, with a particular interst in autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Their research is using data-driven methods to uncover new, objective markers that outperform current diagnostic practices in terms of predicting prognosis, and therapeutic outcomes for children who may require additional support. To better understand trans-diagnostic needs that span across traditional diagnostic boundaries, their resarch uses multi-dimensional phenotyping (behavioural, neurocognitive, environment), alongside genetics, to capture the breadth of neurodevelopmental traits and identify areas of support, in consultation and collaboration with neurodivergent communities to ensure community-prioritised outcomes are met.
Dr Johnson is passionate is developing a range of methods to improve engagement of families in community-led research priorities, such as streamlining and harmonise high-quality data collection from across public health services, to reduce burden and ensure a broader and more appropriate representation of the neurodivergent community in research datasets, through to using VR and digital technologies to reduce anxiety when attending appointments in hospital settings.
Education/Academic qualification
Cognitive Neuroscience, PhD, AN INVESTIGATION OF OCULAR MOTOR AND FINE MOTOR CONTROL IN AUTISM AND ASPERGER’S DISORDER: FURTHERING BEHAVIOURAL DEFINITIONS, Monash University
1 Mar 2008 → 30 May 2013
Award Date: 31 May 2013
Physiology, BSc(Hons), University of Melbourne
1 Mar 2005 → 5 Dec 2005
Award Date: 5 Dec 2005
Physiology, BSc, MONASH UNIVERSITY
1 Mar 2002 → 1 Dec 2004
Award Date: 1 Dec 2004
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Reconceptualising Neurodevelopment and Psychopathology to Improve Healthcare for Children and Youth
Johnson, B. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Tiego, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Forbes, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Boulton , K. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Brignell, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Ure, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Richmond, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Kerestes, R. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Rabba, A. S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Lee, Y. Y. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Morris, H. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Bellgrove, M. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Williams, K. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Guastella, A. J. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Basu, S. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Loth, E. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Lawrence, K. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Coghill, D. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Mosconi, M. W. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Byrne, M. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Chatterton, M. L. (Associate Investigator (AI)) & Wybrow, M. (Associate Investigator (AI))
1/04/25 → 31/03/30
Project: Research
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Mental Health Support (MHS) Training course
Jackson, M. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Johnson, B. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Gullifer, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Courtney, J. (Chief Investigator (CI))
30/08/24 → 30/04/25
Project: Research
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An evaluation service for Children's Health and Wellbeing Local
Ure, A. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Johnson, B. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Williams, K. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Morris, H. (Associate Investigator (AI)) & Bourke-Taylor, H. (Associate Investigator (AI))
20/03/24 → 19/03/25
Project: Research
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Data-driven diagnoses and treatments for neurodevelopmental disorders.
Bellgrove, M. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Johnson, B. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Cornish, K. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Kirk, H. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Williams, K. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Hawi, Z. (Chief Investigator (CI))
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (Australia)
20/01/20 → 30/06/25
Project: Research
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Emergency Departments
Johnson, B. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI))
16/09/19 → 30/09/20
Project: Research
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Neurophysiology of Perceptual Decision-Making and Its Alterations in Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Biabani, M., Walsh, K., Zhou, S. H., Wagner, J., Johnstone, A., Paterson, J., Johnson, B. P., Matthews, N., Loughnane, G. M., O’Connell, R. G. & Bellgrove, M. A., 2 Apr 2025, In: Journal of Neuroscience. 45, 14, 12 p., e0469242025.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
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Oculomotor Function in Children and Adolescents with Autism, ADHD or Co-occurring Autism and ADHD
Forbes, E. J., Tiego, J., Langmead, J., Unruh, K. E., Mosconi, M. W., Finlay, A., Kallady, K., Maclachlan, L., Moses, M., Cappel, K., Knott, R., Chau, T., Sindhu, V. P. M., Bellato, A., Groom, M. J., Kerestes, R., Bellgrove, M. A. & Johnson, B. P., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 17 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access3 Citations (Scopus) -
The distribution of parent-reported autistic and subclinical ADHD traits in children with and without an autism diagnosis
Chau, T., Tiego, J., Brown, L. E., Mellahn, O. J., Johnson, B. P. & Bellgrove, M. A., Mar 2025, In: JCPP Advances. 5, 1, 15 p., e12259.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access -
“We Need Community-Centred, Strongly Ethical Genetic Research”: A Qualitative Investigation of Community Attitudes Toward Autism Genetics
Pugsley, K., Siryj, N., Alvares, G. A., Baxter, E., Bellgrove, M. A., Chau, T., Cooper, L., Curd, H., Douglas, S., Furley, K., Gordon, R.-L., Guastella, A. J., Hawi, Z., Karo, A., Kerestes, R., King, K., Poulsen, R., Rabba, A. S., Rose, M. & Teo, J. P. E. & 3 others, , 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Autism in Adulthood. 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
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Age at diagnosis and diagnostic delay across attention-deficit hyperactivity and autism spectrums
Knott, R., Mellahn, O. J., Tiego, J., Kallady, K., Brown, L. E., Coghill, D., Williams, K., Bellgrove, M. A. & Johnson, B. P., Feb 2024, In: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. 58, 2, p. 142-151 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access14 Citations (Scopus)
Prizes
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Turner Award for Leadership in Research Continuity During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Johnson, B. (Recipient), 7 Oct 2021
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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Chair - Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health OHS committee
Johnson, B. (Fellow)
21 Oct 2021 → …Activity: External Academic Engagement › Committees and working groups
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Member - Turner Neurodevelopment Program Executive
Johnson, B. (Fellow)
31 Jul 2020 → …Activity: External Academic Engagement › Peer review panel or committee
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Autism and ADHD: diagnosis and current research
Johnson, B. (Contributor), Kallady, K. (Contributor) & Mellahn, O. (Contributor)
12 Feb 2020Activity: Community Talks, Presentations, Exhibitions and Events › Public outreach
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Secretary - Australian ADHD Professionals Association
Johnson, B. (Fellow)
1 Aug 2020 → …Activity: External Academic Engagement › Committees and working groups
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FMNHS OHS Working group: Classification and management of workplace psychological risk at Monash University
Johnson, B. (Chair/ Co-Chair), Kallady, K. (Contributor), Hurst, D. (Contributor) & Laing, A. (Contributor)
1 Mar 2020 → …Activity: External Academic Engagement › Committees and working groups
Press/Media
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Victorian mother struggling to get son with severe autism vaccinated against COVID-19 ahead of state reopening
9/10/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Article/Feature
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Autism and ADHD genetics and neurodevelopment
24/02/20
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
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MTalks Podcast: Sensory Architecture: Designing Space for Autism Spectrum
Cottrell, C., Clarke, A. & Johnson, B.
16/12/19
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Blogs, Podcasts and Social Media › Podcasts
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