CAMHS ADHD Assessment
If your child or young person has difficulties they may be sent to CAMHS for an 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, parents' and caregivers' responses to the interview highlighted positives around remote appointments, while also stating that face-to-face appointments would be preferred during assessments.
Symptoms
If you have ADHD, your child or teen may have trouble sitting still and forgetting things, having trouble falling asleep, and being easily distracted by external stimuli. They might also have difficulty managing their tasks and activities at school or at home. They may struggling to comprehend information and have trouble to follow directions. They could lose their belongings, have difficulties with their homework or assignments and miss appointments. They could hurt themselves or others if they are not cautious. They might have difficulties with relationships, find it hard to find a job or work and have difficulty making friends with their family.
Some kids and teens with ADHD are hyperactive. They might play with their hands, tap their fingers or struggle to wait their turn. They might not be able to listen to others and be more likely to engage in risky activities such as taking drugs or engaging in sexual activities that are risky. Some adults with ADHD also have problems with their emotions and can be angry, frustrated or angry easily. They may also be overly sensitive or feel that other people are judging them.
The symptoms of ADHD are different for everyone and they can change as people get older. They can affect anyone of any gender, ethnicity or background. ADHD is adhd assessment for women that can be treated with medication. It is crucial to understand that medication cannot completely eliminate the symptoms of the disorder, and can have side effects.
The first step towards receiving help for ADHD is to get an assessment of the severity of adhd in camhs. The most common way to get this done is to go to your GP and ask them for an appointment. They could recommend you to a mental service for an ADHD specialist assessment.
The ELFT's Quality Improvement team (QI) worked with City and Hackney ADHD teams to improve the timeliness and accuracy of their assessment process. In the end, the average time between referral to feedback on assessment was reduced to less than 12 weeks. This is in line the trust's mission.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a medical condition which can be treated through medication, behavioral therapy or education. It isn't easy for parents and children to comprehend the condition, but there is lots of support available. Speak with your GP If you or your child is showing symptoms of ADHD. They can refer you a specialist CAMHS who will evaluate and determine if your child is suffering from ADHD.
If your child is referred to an CAMHS ADHD assessment service, they are usually seen by a member or two of the team. They will also ask the caregivers or parents of the child and a teacher who knows them well for feedback. The team will employ standardised assessments as well as detailed histories to assess your child's challenges. They will also send Conners questionnaires to the child as well as the parent(s) or guardian(s) as well as an educator who knows the young person very well.
The CAMHS team will then determine whether your child needs additional testing and refer them an experienced psychologist. The psychologist will use different tests to determine how your child manages emotions and behaves in different situations. They will assess how your child behaves at home, at school, and in public places.
During the assessment the doctor will talk with you and your child what they have discovered. The doctor will then make an assessment, and then discuss possible treatment options with you. Patients with ADHD are often treated with medication, however it does not eliminate all symptoms.
Rotherham CAMHS is divided into different pathways and the 'ADHD assessment pathway' falls within the Neurodevelopmental Assessment pathway. Certain children and adolescents will be evaluated for ADHD through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS path. This is due to their an elevated cognitive ability and their difficulties are more complex than other children and young people who use CAMHS. The 'ID CAMHS' section on this website has more information about this pathway.
Treatment
The NHS provides specialized help for children and young people suffering from ADHD through a local service in your region. This could be a psychiatrist or psychologist or even a nurse. You'll be asked to write about your symptoms, and how they affect your life. They may also speak to your teachers, parents or other carers. They could decide to treat you with a medication or suggest other treatment options instead. The NHS website offers information about treatments and what you can expect.
Recent reports2 have revealed the issue of lengthy wait times for CAMHS services. The wait times for the assessment of ADHD are particularly high, even with high-quality care. Local plans and guidelines3 as well as national guidelines3 for transformation4 emphasize the importance of early identification and assessment of adolescents and children with ADHD. However there are no specific guidelines regarding how long they should wait.
This quality improvement (QI) project was designed to speed up the ADHD assessment process. This was achieved by using a simple tool for data collection and integrating it into the clinical system. This has allowed the average amount of time from the date of referral to the date of the ADHD assessment feedback to be lowered. The QI team would like to express our gratitude to the City and the Hackney CAMHS ADHD team for their dedication and hard work during this project.
If you are prescribed a medication the doctor will discuss the options with you and your family members. There are many medications that treat ADHD. However they all have different adverse effects. It is important that you be aware of the potential side effects of any treatment.
There are many non-pharmacological treatments that can aid in the reduction of ADHD symptoms. These include parenting programs such as behaviour therapy, and psychological therapies. Individual or group sessions are available. Apps that aid in planning and organization could be helpful for someone with ADHD.
The project included 12 participants who had been recently been referred to the CAMHS ADHD pathway within the local Trust. Interviews were semi-structured and conducted via phone. Participants were recruited through a deliberate sampling method. This method was chosen because it is thought to be more ethical than a randomised controlled study that is normally used in a research study.
Support
A diagnosis of ADHD can be distressing for parents and young people, as the symptoms can be misunderstood and viewed as bad behaviour. Mental health services, as along with charities and organizations can provide support. It is crucial that families are aware of what is expected during the process of assessment. CAMHS has provided guidelines on the subject which can be found by clicking the hyperlinks below.
CAMHS also offer a number of different treatments for ADHD, including medications and lifestyle changes. But it is crucial to ensure that the appropriate treatment is selected for your child, as different individuals respond differently to medication. A CAMHS assessment will involve discussions with a nurse or doctor and could involve a variety of tests, like blood tests and brain scans which help to determine possible causes for the symptoms.
The City and Hackney ADHD team recently launched an improvement project in quality to cut waiting times and improve service satisfaction of users. The team spoke with service users throughout the assessment process, and identified the key issues that informed improvements to the pathway. For example, service users were of the opinion that the assessment was too long, and there was not enough support offer postassessment. They also would like to see more specific support for families and children who are diagnosed with ADHD.
After the QI project was launched the waiting intervals between referral and ADHD assessment were significantly reduced. This is in line with goals of trust and reflects an emphasis on enhancing effectiveness and capacity across the CAMHS System. The team utilized a model for change and Plan-Do-Study -Act cycles to create positive change within the ADHD process.
A diagnosis of ADHD can also help you obtain an Education, Health and Care Plan for your child. The EHCP allows schools to provide additional support for your children with regards to training and medication. Our CAMHS ADHD clinic can provide support and advice to children with ADHD.