Dr Rachael Knott
Psychologist and Clinical Neuropsychology Registrar
BPsych (Hon), PhD (Clinical Neuropsychology)
Background and Experience
Rachael is a registered Psychologist and Clinical Neuropsychology Registrar. She completed her undergraduate and Honours in psychology before completing a PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology at Monash University. During her PhD, Rachael focused on understanding the diagnostic process for children with autism, ADHD, and co-occurring autism+ADHD and explored different ways the diagnostic process may be improved in the future.
Clinical Interests
Within clinical practice, Rachael is interested in neurodevelopmental conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, and Specific Learning Disorders, with a particular focus on how these conditions may vary in presentation when they occur together.
Research Interests
Rachael’s previous research has focused on understanding barriers to neurodevelopmental diagnoses in Australia, with a particular focus on whether children with multiple diagnoses experience a lengthier diagnostic process.
Practice Philosophies
Rachael is committed to understanding the variability in neurodevelopment by integrating test scores, observations, and input from families and educators. Delivering clear, practical recommendations that empower families, educators, and healthcare providers to support neurodiverse individuals in a way that maximizes their strengths and fosters success is central to her work.
Extra About Me
Rachael has been interested in dance and gymnastics. She now enjoys hiking or swimming at the beach, followed by her favourite Studio Ghibli movie at home.
Publications
Knott, R., Mellahn, O. J., Tiego, J., Kallady, K., Brown, L. E., Coghill, D., Williams, K., Bellgrove, M. A., & Johnson, B. P. (2023). Age at diagnosis and diagnostic delay across attention-deficit hyperactivity and autism spectrums. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 48674231206997. https://doi.org/10.1177/00048674231206997
Knott, R., Johnson, B. P., Tiego, J., Mellahn, O., Finlay, A., Kallady, K., Kouspos, M., Mohanakumar Sindhu, V. P., Hawi, Z., Arnatkeviciute, A., Chau, T., Maron, D., Mercieca, E. C., Furley, K., Harris, K., Williams, K., Ure, A., Fornito, A., Gray, K., . . . Bellgrove, M. A. (2021). The Monash Autism-ADHD genetics and neurodevelopment (MAGNET) project design and methodologies: A dimensional approach to understanding neurobiological and genetic aetiology. Molecular Autism, 12(1), 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13229-021-00457-3
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). Oculomotor Function in Children and Adolescents with Autism, ADHD or Co-occurring Autism and ADHD. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 10.1007/s10803-024-06718-3. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-024-06718-3
Mellahn, O., J., Knott, R., Tiego, J., Kallady, K., Williams, K., Bellgrove, M. A., & Johnson, B. P. (2022). Understanding the diversity of pharmacotherapeutic management of ADHD with co-occurring autism: An Australian cross-sectional survey. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022