CAMHS ADHD Assessment
If your child or teen has issues, they may be sent to CAMHS to conduct an ADHD assessment. They will usually be asked to bring with them their parent(s)/guardian(s) and a teacher who knows them well.
Parents and caregivers interviewed in response to COVID-19 emphasized the benefits of remote appointments, but also that face-toface appointments would be preferable for assessments.
Signs and symptoms
If a child or a young person you know has ADHD, they might be unable to sit still and forgetting things, have trouble falling asleep, and are easily distracted by distractions. They might also have difficulty trying to keep up with their tasks or activities at home or in school or at home, struggle to comprehend information and may find it difficult to follow directions. They might often lose their possessions, have difficulties with their homework or assignments and may miss appointments. They could hurt themselves or others if not careful. They might have difficulties in relationships, find it difficult to find a job or work and have trouble making friends with their family.
Many children and young adults with ADHD are also impulsive. They might fidget or tap their fingers, struggle to wait for their turn in their activities, or be unable to stop talking. They might not be able to listen to others and are more likely to engage in risky activities such as taking drugs or engaging in sexual activities that are dangerous. Some adults with ADHD have issues with their emotions and can easily become irritable or even angry. They might also be excessively sensitive or feel like others are criticizing them.
The symptoms of ADHD differ for each person and can change as a person gets older. They can affect anyone of any age, gender, or background. ADHD is a condition that can be treated with medication. However, it is crucial to be aware that treatment does not eliminate all the symptoms of the disorder and could cause adverse side negative effects.
Learn Even more of the camhs adhd is the first step in getting assistance for ADHD. prev is usually performed by asking your GP to schedule an appointment. They may refer you to a mental service for an ADHD specialist assessment.
The ELFT's Quality Improvement team (QI) worked with the City and Hackney ADHD teams to improve the timeliness and accuracy of their assessment process. The result was that the average wait time from referral to feedback on assessment was reduced to less than 12 weeks. This is in accordance with the trust's goals.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a medical condition and can be treated through medication, behavioural therapy or education. It can be a challenge for parents and children to understand the condition however there is plenty of support available. Talk to your GP if you or your child displays symptoms of ADHD. They will refer you to a specialist CAMHS who will assess and diagnose your child.
If your child was sent to the CAMHS ADHD Assessment Service you will be visited by at least one member of the team. They will also solicit the child's parents or caregivers, and a teacher who is familiar with the child well to provide feedback. The team will use standardised assessment techniques and detailed history taking to assess the child's needs. They will also distribute Conners questionnaires to the child and their parent(s) or guardian(s) and a teacher that is familiar with the child to complete before the assessment appointment.
The CAMHS team will determine whether your child needs additional testing and refer them to a clinical psychologist. The psychologist will conduct 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, in school, and in public places.
During the evaluation your doctor will discuss with you and your child what they've discovered. The clinician will make an assessment, and then discuss possible treatment options with you. People suffering from ADHD are often treated by medication, but it is not a cure for all symptoms.
Rotherham CAMHS is divided into different pathways and the 'ADHD assessment pathway' falls within the Neurodevelopmental Assessment pathway. However, certain youngsters and children will receive their ADHD assessment done through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS pathway. This is due to their an elevated cognitive ability and their difficulties are more complex than other children and young people who are using CAMHS. The 'ID CAMHS' page on this website provides more details on this pathway.
Treatment
The NHS provides specialist assistance for children and adolescents with ADHD through a local service. This could be psychologists, psychiatrists, or even nurses. You will be asked to write about your symptoms, and how they impact your life. They might also talk to your teachers, parents or other caregivers. They may also decide to prescribe medicine or suggest alternative treatments. The NHS website provides information on treatments and what you can expect.
A recent report2 highlighted the issue of long waiting times for CAMHS services. The waiting times for assessment of ADHD are particularly high, even with good quality care. While national guidelines3 and local transformation plans4 stress the need for early identification of children and young people with ADHD and guidelines on assessment has been developed however there is no clear guidance regarding how long the child or young person should wait before being seen.
This quality improvement (QI) project was developed to reduce waiting times for the ADHD assessment process. This was achieved by using an easy data collection tool and embedding it in the clinical system. The average number of weeks between the time the referral was made to the date the ADHD assessment feedback was provided has been reduced. The QI team would like to thank City and Hackney CAMHS ADHD for their dedication and hardwork throughout this project.
If a medication has been prescribed, your doctor will discuss the available options with you and your family members. There are Learn Even more of medications that can treat ADHD. However, they all have different side-effects. It is important that you understand what to expect from any treatment.
There are a variety of non-pharmacological therapies that can aid in the reduction of ADHD symptoms. These can include parenting programmes and behaviour therapy. Individual or group sessions are available. For those who suffers from ADHD may also benefit from using software for organisation and planning.
The project included 12 participants who were recently referred to the CAMHS ADHD route within the local Trust. Interviews were structured and conducted over the phone. Participants were recruited by using a deliberate sample technique. This method was chosen because it is believed to be more ethical than a randomised controlled study that is typically employed in research studies.
Support
The diagnosis of ADHD is often distressing for both parents and children, since the signs are often misunderstood or viewed as unacceptable behavior. Mental health services, as along with charities and organizations can offer support. It is essential that families know what to expect from the assessment process. CAMHS have produced guidance on this, and it can be found in the links below.
CAMHS also provide a variety of different treatment options for ADHD that include lifestyle and medication. However, it is vital to ensure that the appropriate treatment is selected for your child, as different people respond differently to different medications. A CAMHS evaluation will involve discussions with a physician or nurse and may involve a variety of tests, such as blood tests and brain scans which help to determine possible causes for the symptoms.
The City and Hackney ADHD Team recently implemented a project to improve service quality and cut waiting time. The team conducted a series of meetings with service users throughout the assessment process and they identified key themes that informed the improvement of the process. For instance, some service users thought that the assessment was too long, and there was not enough support offer postassessment. They also want to see more specific support for families and children who have been diagnosed with ADHD.
After the QI project was launched and implemented, the wait intervals between referral and ADHD evaluation were drastically reduced. This is in line with targets for trust-levels, and shows an emphasis on enhancing efficiency and capabilities across the CAMHS System. The team utilized the model of change and Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles to effect positive changes within 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 allow your school to implement additional support for your child, for example training or medication. Our CAMHS ADHD clinic will offer support and guidance to children who suffer from ADHD.