Acute Behavioural Disturbance – Acute Management was an existing Victorian CPG that has been revised then reviewed by CPG Committee members. It will be considered for PIC endorsement on 26 November.

Key Points

1. Management should focus on verbal and non-verbal de-escalation and emphasise the child’s safety with carer involvement and existing behaviour or communication plans where appropriate
2. Consider underlying neurodevelopmental diagnoses (autism, ADHD) or a history of adverse childhood experiences
3. A stepwise approach should be used if pharmacological treatment is required.  Physical restraint should be a last resort, only to facilitate rapidly effective pharmacological treatment

The previous “Acute Behavioural Disturbance: Assessment and verbal de-escalation” CPG has been removed as the contents have been incorporated in this updated Acute Management CPG.