CAMHS ADHD Assessment
If your child or adolescent is experiencing difficulties, they could be referred for 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, parents and caregivers' responses to interviews highlighted positives around remote appointments, but also that face-to–face appointments would be preferred during assessments.
Signs and symptoms
If you have ADHD your child or teenager may struggle to remain focused, forgetting things, unable to fall asleep, and being easily distracted by external stimuli. They may also have trouble staying on top of tasks and activities at school or at home. They may struggling to comprehend information and find it difficult to follow instructions. They might often lose their possessions, have difficulties completing assignments or homework and also miss appointments. If they're not careful, they could harm themselves or others. They might have a hard relationship, have trouble finding work or a job, and might find it difficult to get on with their family members.
Many children and young adults with ADHD are also impulsive. They might fidget, tap their fingers or fight to get their turn. They may not pay attention to others and be more likely to engage in risky activities such as taking drugs or engaging in sexual activity that is dangerous. Certain adults with ADHD have emotional problems and can easily become angry or frustrated. They may also be overly sensitive or feel like others are judging them.
The symptoms of ADHD can vary from individual to individual and can change as you get older. They can affect anyone of any race, gender or background. ADHD is treatable with medication. It is essential to be aware that treatment does not eliminate all the symptoms of the disorder, and may cause adverse side effects.
The first step in getting assistance for ADHD is to get an assessment for ADHD with a camhs. This is usually done by asking your GP to schedule an appointment. They might refer you to a mental health clinic for a specialist ADHD assessment.
The 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 accordance with the trust's goals.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a medical issue and can be treated by medication, behavioural therapy or education. It can be difficult for parents and children to understand the condition, but there is lots of support available. If you believe that you or your child is suffering from symptoms of ADHD, speak to a GP. They will refer you to a specialist CAMHS who will assess and determine if your child is suffering from ADHD.
If your child is being referred to a CAMHS ADHD assessment service, they typically will be viewed by a couple of members of the team. They will also request feedback from the child as well as their parent(s) or carer(s) as well as the teacher who knows them well. The team will employ standardised assessments as well as detailed histories to evaluate your child's difficulties. They will also provide Conners questionnaires for the child and their parent(s) or guardian(s), and a teacher that knows the child well to complete prior the assessment appointment.
The CAMHS team could then decide that your child is in need of additional tests and will refer them to an expert clinical psychologist. The psychologist will use different tests to determine how your child manages emotions and behaves in different situations. They will look at how your child behaves at home, in school and in public spaces.
During the assessment the doctor will talk with you and your child what they've discovered. The clinician will issue an assessment, and then discuss treatment options with you. Medication is often used to aid people suffering from ADHD however, it does not eliminate all their symptoms.
Rotherham CAMHS is divided into different pathways, and the "ADHD Assessment pathway" is part of the Neurodevelopmental assessment pathway. However, adhd assessment and young people will receive their ADHD evaluation through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS pathway. This is due to their a higher level of cognitive ability and their challenges are more complex than those of other children and young people who utilize CAMHS. The 'ID CAMHS' page on this site provides more details about this route.
Treatment
The NHS offers specialist help for children and adolescents with ADHD through a local support service. This could include a psychiatrist, a psychologist or a nurse. They'll ask you to explain your symptoms and how they affect your life. They may also speak to your teachers, parents or other caregivers. They could decide to treat you with medication or suggest alternative treatments instead. The NHS website has information about treatments and what to expect.
A recent report2 focused on the issue of long waiting times for CAMHS services. The wait times for the assessment of ADHD are particularly long even when the care is of a high standard. Local plans for transformation4 and national guidelines3 for transformation4 stress the importance of early detection and assessment of children and adolescents with ADHD. However there aren't any explicit guidelines on how long they should wait.
This quality improvement (QI) project was developed to reduce waiting times for the ADHD assessment process. This was achieved by using a simple data collection tool and integrating it into the clinical system. The average time between the date the referral was made to the date the ADHD assessment feedback was provided has been decreased. The QI team would like to thank the City and Hackney CAMHS ADHD team for their dedication and hard work during this project.
If a medication is prescribed, your doctor will discuss the options available to you and your family members. There are a variety of medications which can treat ADHD. However they all have different side-effects. It is important to know what to expect when you begin any treatment.
There are many non-pharmacological treatment options that can aid in the reduction of ADHD symptoms. These include parenting programmes as well as behaviour therapy and psychological treatments. They can be offered individually or in groups. For those who suffers from ADHD may also find it helpful to use applications for planning and organisation.
The project included 12 participants who were recently been referred to the CAMHS ADHD pathway within the local Trust. Interviews were semi-structured and conducted over the phone. Participants were recruited via a purposeful sampling technique. This was chosen because it is believed to be more ethical than a randomised controlled study that is typically employed in research studies.
Support
A diagnosis of ADHD can be distressing for parents and children, as the symptoms are often misinterpreted and viewed as bad behavior. Mental health services as along with charitable and non-profit organizations can offer support. It is essential that families know what to expect from the assessment process. CAMHS has produced guidelines on the subject which you can find by clicking the links below.
CAMHS also offer a number of treatments for ADHD that include medication and lifestyle changes. It is important to select the right medication for your child, as every person reacts differently to medication. A CAMHS assessment may include discussions with a doctor or nurse and may include a variety of tests, including brain scans and blood tests.
The City and Hackney ADHD Team recently launched a program to improve the quality of service and reduce waiting times. The team conducted a survey of customers during the assessment process, and identified the key issues that informed improvements to the pathway. For instance, some service users felt that the length of the assessment was too long and that there was not enough support to the post-assessment. In addition they would like get more specific assistance for families and children who receive a diagnosis of ADHD.
Following the QI project, the wait times from initial referral to ADHD evaluation have been reduced dramatically. This is in line with the trust-level goals and is a reflection of the focus on increasing efficiency and capacity across the CAMHS system. The team utilized a model for change and Plan-Do-Study -Act cycles to effect positive change in the ADHD pathway.
A diagnosis of ADHD could also assist you to obtain an Education, Health and Care Plan for your child. The EHCP allows your school to provide additional support for your child including training and medication. The school can also contact our CAMHS ADHD clinic for support and advice for children who have been given an ADHD diagnosis.