CAMHS ADHD Assessment
If your child or adolescent experiences difficulties, they could be recommended for an ADHD assessment by CAMHS. They will usually be asked to bring with them their parent(s)/guardian(s) and a teacher who knows them well.
In response to COVID-19, interview responses from parents/caregivers highlighted positives around remote appointments, while also stating that face-to–face appointments would be preferred during assessments.
Symptoms
If a child or a young person you know has ADHD They may struggle to remain focused and forgetting things, have difficulties falling asleep and are easily distracted by extraneous stimuli. They may also struggle to keep up with the demands of tasks or activities at home or in school and have difficulty understanding information, and find it hard to follow directions. They may lose things, have trouble completing assignments or homework and have trouble keeping appointments. They may end up hurting themselves or others if not cautious. They might experience difficulties in relationships, and find it difficult to find jobs or jobs, and have trouble making friends with their family.
Some children and young people with ADHD are also impulsive. They may fidget, tap their fingers or fight to get their turn. They may not pay attention to what other people say and might be more likely to take risks like using drugs or engaging in dangerous sexual interactions. Certain adults with ADHD have emotional problems and can easily become irritable or angry. They might also be overly sensitive to criticism or feel that other people are criticising them.
The symptoms of ADHD can differ from person to person and change as you get older. They can affect anyone of any gender, ethnicity or background. ADHD is treatable with medication. But it is important to know that medication doesn't remove all the symptoms of the disorder and can cause side effects.
The first step towards getting help for ADHD is to seek an assessment for ADHD with a camhs. This is typically completed by contacting your GP to schedule an appointment. They might refer you to a mental health service to conduct a specialist ADHD assessment.
ELFT's Quality Improvement (QI) team collaborated with the City and Hackney ADHD team to improve the timeliness of their assessment process. The average time between assessment and feedback was reduced from 12 weeks to less than 12. This is in line with the trust's mission.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a medical condition and can be treated through medication, behavioural therapy or education. Parents and children might find it difficult to grasp, but there are many resources available. If you think you or your child is suffering from symptoms of ADHD, speak to an GP. They can refer you to a specialist CAMHS who will examine and determine if your child is suffering from ADHD.
If your child is referred to an CAMHS ADHD assessment service they typically will be viewed by a member or two of the team. They will also seek feedback from the child as well as their parent(s) or carer(s) as well as a teacher that is familiar with them. The team will employ standard assessment techniques and detailed histories taking to evaluate the child's needs. They will also send Conners questionnaires to the child, the parent(s) or guardian(s), as well as teachers who know the young person very well.
The CAMHS team will determine if your child requires further tests and refer them to an experienced psychologist. The psychologist will employ a variety of tests to determine how your child handles emotions and behaves under various situations. They will assess how your child behaves at home, at school and in public spaces.
During the examination the doctor will talk with you and your child what they have discovered. The clinician will make an assessment, and then discuss possible treatment options with you. Medication is often used to treat people suffering from ADHD however it is not enough to eliminate all the symptoms.
Rotherham CAMHS is divided into multiple pathways, and the "ADHD Assessment pathway" falls under the Neurodevelopmental assessment pathway. Certain children and adolescents will be evaluated for ADHD through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS pathway. This is due to the fact that they have an elevated cognitive ability and their difficulties are more complex than other children and young people who use CAMHS. This pathway is explained in greater detail on the "ID CAMHS" page of this website.
Treatment
The NHS provides specialized help for children and young people suffering from ADHD through an in-person service within your region. This might include a psychiatrist, a psychologist or nurses. You will be asked to describe your symptoms and how they affect your life. They may also speak to your teachers, parents or other caregivers. They might decide to treat you with medication or suggest alternative treatments instead. The NHS website offers information about treatments and what you can expect.
A recent report2 identified the issue of lengthy waiting times for CAMHS services. The wait times for the evaluation of ADHD are particularly high, even with good quality care. Although national guidelines3 and local transformation plans4 emphasise the need for early identification of children and young adults with ADHD, and guidance on assessment has been developed but there is no specific guideline regarding how long the child or young person should wait to be seen.
This quality improvement (QI) project was created to speed up the ADHD assessment process. This was achieved by using a simple tool for data collection and embedding it in the clinical system. The average number of weeks between the date the referral was made to the date the ADHD assessment feedback was given has been reduced. The QI team would like to thank City and Hackney CAMHS ADHD for their dedication and hardwork throughout this project.
If you are prescribed a medication, the specialists will discuss the options with you and your family. There are many drugs which can treat ADHD. However, they all have different adverse effects. It is essential to know what to expect before you begin any treatment.
In addition to medications, there are a variety of non-pharmacological interventions that can be used to aid in the treatment of ADHD. These include parenting programs, behaviour therapy and psychological treatments. book adhd assessment uk can be provided individually or in groups. Apps that assist with organizing and planning could be beneficial for those with ADHD.
The project included 12 participants who had been recently referred to the CAMHS ADHD pathway within a local Trust. Interviews were structured and took place over the phone. Participants were recruited via a purposeful sampling technique. This method was chosen because it is considered to be more ethical than a randomised controlled trial, which would normally be used in a research study.
Support
A diagnosis of ADHD can be a source of stress for parents and children, as the symptoms can be misunderstood and viewed as bad behavior. Mental health services as well as charities and organisations can offer support. It is important that families are aware of what to expect from the assessment process. CAMHS has issued guidance on the subject, which can be found by clicking on the links below.
CAMHS also offer a number of different treatment options for ADHD which include medication and lifestyle changes. It is essential to select the right medication for your child, as every person reacts differently to medication. A CAMHS assessment will include discussions with a nurse or doctor and can involve a range of tests, including brain scans and blood tests that can help determine possible causes of the symptoms.
The City and Hackney ADHD team recently completed an improvement project in quality to reduce waiting times and increase satisfaction of users. The team spoke with customers during the assessment process, and identified key themes which helped inform improvements to the path. For example, service users were of the opinion that the assessment was too long, and there was not enough support to the post-assessment. They also want to see more targeted support for children and their families who are diagnosed with ADHD.
After the QI project was completed, waiting time between referrals and ADHD assessment were significantly reduced. This is in line the goals of trust and reflects an emphasis on enhancing effectiveness and capacity across the CAMHS System. The team employed a model for change and Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles to effect positive change in the ADHD pathway.
A diagnosis of ADHD may also help you get an Education, Health and Care Plan for your child. The EHCP allows your school to provide additional support for your child with regards to medication and training courses. The school can also contact our CAMHS ADHD clinic for help and support sessions for children who have been given an ADHD diagnosis.
