A concerning number of children with autism presenting to ED with a mental health problem are being physically restrained, emergency medicine doctors say.

Their study suggests children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD or both may make up more than one-quarter of all paediatric mental health presentations to EDs.

A review of visits over one year at The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne found “important differences” between the presentations of these children and those of others with mental health complaints, including a higher rate of acute severe behavioural disturbance. 

The researchers examined medical records of every child aged between seven and 17 who attended the ED for mental health problems in 2018.