CAMHS ADHD Assessment
If your child or adolescent has difficulties, they could be recommended for ADHD assessment to 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 pointed out the positives of remote appointments, but also that face-to-face appointments would be preferred during assessments.
Symptoms
If you have ADHD, your child or teen may struggle to remain focused or concentrating, snagging things, having difficulty falling asleep, and getting easily distracted by external stimuli. They might also have difficulty staying on top of tasks and activities at school or at home, struggling to understand information and find it difficult to follow directions. They could lose their possessions, experience difficulties with their homework or assignments and may miss appointments. If they are not careful, they could cause harm to themselves or others. They might experience difficulties in relationships, and find it difficult to find an employment or job, and have a difficult time getting along with their family.
A few children and young people with ADHD are also hyperactive. They might fumble or tap their fingers, struggle to wait for their turn in activities or unable to stop talking. They may not listen to other people 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 suffer from emotional issues and can easily become angry or frustrated. They may also be extremely sensitive or feel that others are criticizing them.
The symptoms of ADHD are different from individual to individual and can change as you get older. They can affect anyone, regardless of race, gender or background. ADHD is an illness that can be treated with medication. It is essential to be aware that medication does not eliminate all the symptoms of the disorder and can cause side adverse effects.
An assessment of the camhs adhd is the first step in getting help for ADHD. This is typically completed by contacting your GP to schedule an appointment. They may recommend you to a mental health professional for a specialized ADHD assessment.
ELFT's Quality Improvement (QI) team worked 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 the range of the trust's goal.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a medical issue and can be treated by medications, behavioural therapy, or education. Children and parents may find it difficult to comprehend but there are many resources available. Talk to your GP If you or your child is showing symptoms of ADHD. They will refer you to a specialist CAMHS who will examine and diagnose your child.
If your child was sent to the CAMHS ADHD Assessment Service, they will be seen by at least one member of the team. They will also seek out the child's parents or caregivers, and a teacher who knows the child well to provide feedback. The team will utilize standardised assessments and detailed histories to evaluate your child's needs. They will also send Conners questionnaires to the child or the parent(s) or guardian(s), and teachers who know the child very well.
The CAMHS team could then decide that your child requires additional tests and will refer them to a clinical psychologist. The psychologist will employ a variety of tests to see how your child manages their emotions and behaviour in different situations. They will look at the way your child behaves at home, at school and in public spaces.
During the evaluation the doctor will talk with you and your child what they have discovered. They will then issue an assessment and discuss the options for treatment with you. CAMHS ADHD assessment UK with ADHD are often treated by medication, but it does not eliminate all symptoms.
Rotherham CAMHS is divided into multiple pathways. The 'ADHD assessment pathway' falls within the Neurodevelopmental Assessment pathway. However, certain children and young people will have their ADHD assessment done through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS pathway. This is due to their more cognitive ability and their challenges are more complex than the other children and young people who use CAMHS. This path is explained in greater detail on the "ID CAMHS" page of this website.
Treatment
The NHS provides specialist help for children and young people with ADHD through local services in your area. This could be a psychiatrist or psychologist, or even nurses. You will be asked to write about your symptoms and how they impact your life. They could also speak with your teachers, parents, or other caregivers. They may decide to prescribe medicine or suggest alternative treatments. The NHS website contains information on treatments and what you can expect.
Recent reports have revealed the issue of lengthy wait times for CAMHS services. The waiting times for assessment of ADHD are particularly long, even with good quality care. While national guidelines3 and local transformation plans4 emphasise the importance of early identification of children and young adults with ADHD and a guideline for assessment has been produced, there is no explicit guidance on how long a child or young person should wait to see a doctor.
This quality improvement (QI) project was created to speed up the ADHD assessment process. This was achieved using a simple tool for data collection and integration into the clinical system. This has enabled the average amount of time from the date of referral until the date of the ADHD assessment feedback to be lowered. The QI team would like to thank the City and the Hackney CAMHS ADHD team for their dedication and hard work throughout the project.
If a medication is prescribed, the doctors discuss the available options with you and your family members. There are a variety of medications that treat ADHD. However they all have distinct effects. It is crucial to be aware of the potential side effects before you begin any treatment.
There are a variety of non-pharmacological therapies that can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. These can include psychotherapies, parenting programmes and behaviour therapy. Individual or group sessions are available. For those who suffers from ADHD may also benefit from using applications for planning and organisation.
The project included 12 participants who had been recently referred to the CAMHS ADHD pathway in the local Trust. The interviews were semi-structured, and were conducted over the telephone. Participants were recruited using an intentional sampling technique. This method was chosen because it is considered to be more ethical than the randomised controlled trial method that would normally be employed in research studies.
Support
A diagnosis of ADHD can be stressful for parents and children, as the symptoms can be misinterpreted and seen as bad behaviour. However, there are lots of resources available from mental health services, as well as organizations and charities that can assist. It is crucial that families understand what to expect from the assessment process. CAMHS has produced guidelines on the subject which can be found by clicking the hyperlinks below.
CAMHS also offer a number of treatments for ADHD, including lifestyle and medication. It is crucial to choose the appropriate medication for your child since everyone responds differently to medications. A CAMHS assessment may include discussions with a doctor or nurse and may involve a range of tests such as brain scans and blood tests.
The City and Hackney ADHD Team recently implemented a project to improve service quality and cut waiting times. The team consulted with service users throughout the assessment process and identified the main issues that influenced the design of the pathway. For example, service users thought that the assessment was too long and there was not enough support to providing postassessment support. They also would like to see more targeted support for children and their families who have been diagnosed with ADHD.
After the QI project was launched, waiting times between initial referral and ADHD assessment significantly decreased. This is in line with trust-level targets and is a reflection of the focus on enhancing efficiency and capacity across the CAMHS system. The team employed the change model and Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles to effect positive changes in the ADHD process.
A diagnosis of ADHD can be beneficial in obtaining an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for your child. The EHCP will permit your school to provide additional support for your child, including medication or training courses. Our CAMHS ADHD clinic will provide assistance and support for children suffering from ADHD.