Models of care in neurodevelopmental-behavioural paediatrics

In Australia, children with developmental-behavioural presentations experience large variations in both access to specialist health care and in the care they receive from specialists. A recent survey of members of the Neurodevelopmental and Behavioural Paediatric Society of Australasia confirmed that this variation persists even among public services provided by paediatric doctors with a special interest in this field. In this article, we discuss the challenges of establishing a single model of developmental-behavioural paediatric care and set out principles of best practice in the field. An essential part of working towards excellence in care involves defining our outcomes, utilising standardised measures, collecting systematic data, working in partnership with families to address their concerns and goals, participating in reflective practice and demonstrating a willingness to change current practice based on the results.