CAMHS ADHD Assessment
If your child or young person is struggling, they could be sent to CAMHS for ADHD assessment. 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 the benefits of remote appointments, but also that face-to-face appointments are preferred during assessments.
Symptoms
If a child or young person you know has ADHD They may be unable to sit still or forgetting things, experience trouble falling asleep, and are easily distracted by distractions. They might also have trouble managing their tasks and activities at home or at school, struggling to comprehend information and may find it difficult to follow instructions. They may lose their possessions, experience difficulties completing assignments or homework and may miss appointments. They may end up hurting themselves or others if they are not careful. They could have a difficult relationship, have trouble finding work or a job and may have difficulty to get on with their family members.
A few children and young people with ADHD are also impulsive. They may be impulsive, fidget, or struggle to wait their turn. They may not pay attention to other people and be more likely to engage in risky activities like taking drugs or engaging in sexual activity that is dangerous. Many people with ADHD also have issues with their moods and become irritable, frustrated or angry quickly. They might also be overly sensitive to criticism or believe that others are judging them.
The symptoms of ADHD are different for every person and they can change as a person gets older. They can affect anyone regardless of gender, ethnicity or background. ADHD is an illness that can be treated with medication. It is essential to know that medication doesn't remove all the symptoms of the disorder and can cause side negative effects.
The first step in getting assistance for ADHD is to seek a camhs adhd evaluation. The most common way to get this done is to go to your GP and ask them for an appointment. They might refer you to a mental health service to conduct a specialist ADHD assessment.
ELFT's Quality Improvement (QI) team worked with 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. Children and parents may find it difficult grasp but there are many resources available. If you believe that you or your child has symptoms of ADHD, speak to a GP. They will refer you to a specialist CAMHS who will examine and diagnose your child.
If your child has been sent to the CAMHS ADHD Assessment Service, they will be seen by at least one person from the team. They will also ask the caregivers or parents of the child, and a teacher who knows their child well to provide feedback. The team will use standardised assessment techniques and detailed history taking to assess the child's needs. how to get a adhd assessment will also distribute Conners questionnaires to the child, their parent(s) or guardian(s) as well as a teacher that knows the young person well to complete prior the assessment appointment.
The CAMHS team may then decide that your child requires additional tests and will refer them to a clinical psychologist. The psychologist will conduct a variety of tests to assess how your child manages their emotions and behaves in various situations. They will examine the way your child behaves at home, in school, and in public places.
During the exam the doctor will discuss with you and your child about what they have discovered. The clinician will issue an assessment and discuss treatment options with you. It is common to use medication to treat people suffering from ADHD however it will not remove all of the symptoms.
Rotherham CAMHS is divided into multiple pathways. The "ADHD assessment pathway" is within the Neurodevelopmental Assessment pathway. Certain children and adolescents will be evaluated for ADHD through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS pathway. This is because their cognitive capabilities are higher and their difficulties more complex than those of other children and adolescents who utilize CAMHS. The 'ID CAMHS' section on this site provides more details on this pathway.
Treatment
The NHS provides specialized help for children and adolescents with ADHD through local services in your region. This could include a psychiatrist or psychologist or even a nurse. You'll be asked to explain your symptoms and how they affect your life. They might also talk to your parents, teachers, or other caregivers. They may decide to treat you with medication or suggest alternative treatment options instead. The NHS website provides information on treatments and what to expect.
A recent report2 focused on the issue of long waiting times for CAMHS services. The wait times for the evaluation of ADHD are particularly long, even with good quality care. Although national guidelines3 and local transformation plans4 stress the need for early identification of children and young adults with ADHD, and guidance on assessment has been provided however there is no clear guidance regarding how long the child or young person should wait to be seen.
This quality improvement (QI) project was designed to speed up the ADHD assessment process. This was accomplished through an easy instrument for data collection and integration into the clinical system. This has allowed the average number of weeks from the date of referral until the date of the ADHD assessment feedback to be cut down. The QI team would also like to thank City and Hackney CAMHS ADHD for their commitment and dedication throughout the course of this project.
If a medication is prescribed, the doctors discuss the options available with you and your loved ones. There are a variety of medications that can be used to treat ADHD, but they all have distinct adverse effects. It is crucial to be aware of the potential side effects before you begin any treatment.
In addition to medications in addition, there are a range of non-pharmacological treatments that can help improve the symptoms of ADHD. These include parenting programmes and behaviour therapy. Individual or group sessions are available. A person with ADHD might find it beneficial to use applications for planning and organisation.
The project involved twelve participants who had been referred recently to the CAMHS ADHD pathway within a local Trust. The interviews were semi-structured and they were conducted over the telephone. Participants were recruited via a deliberate sampling method. This was chosen because it is considered to be more ethical than a controlled trial that is randomised, which would normally be employed in research studies.
Support
The diagnosis of ADHD is often distressing for parents and children alike, because the symptoms are often misunderstood or viewed as bad behavior. However, there are lots of services available to help from mental health services, along with organizations and charities that can aid. It's important that families are aware of what is expected during the assessment process. CAMHS has produced guidance on the subject, which you can find by clicking the links below.
CAMHS also offer a number of treatments for ADHD which include medications and lifestyle changes. But it is crucial to ensure that the appropriate treatment is selected for your child, since different individuals respond differently to medication. A CAMHS assessment may include discussions with a doctor or nurse and can involve a variety of tests such as brain scans and blood tests.
The City and Hackney ADHD team recently implemented an improvement in quality to reduce waiting times and improve service user satisfaction. The team consulted with service users throughout the assessment process and they identified key themes that informed the improvement of the pathway. For example, service users were of the opinion that the assessment was too long and there was not enough support providing postassessment support. They would also like to see more specific support for children and their families who have been diagnosed with ADHD.
As a result of the QI project, the wait times between referral and ADHD assessment have been reduced dramatically. This is in line the targets for trust-levels, and shows an emphasis on enhancing effectiveness and capacity across the CAMHS System. The team employed a change model and Plan-Do–Study–Act cycles to drive positive changes in the ADHD pathway.
A diagnosis of ADHD can 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 training and medication. The school can also refer to our CAMHS ADHD clinic for advice and support sessions for children who have received an ADHD diagnosis.