CAMHS ADHD Assessment
If your child or adolescent has difficulties, they could be referred to undergo an 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.
Parents and caregivers interviewed in response to COVID-19 have highlighted the advantages of remote appointments, but also suggested that face-to-face appointments are preferred for assessments.
Signs and symptoms
If a child or young person you know has ADHD they may be unable to sit still and forgetting things, have trouble falling asleep, and are easily distracted by other stimuli. They might also have difficulty trying to keep up with tasks or activities at home or at school, have trouble understanding information and may find it difficult to follow directions. They could lose their possessions, experience difficulties completing assignments or homework and miss appointments. They may end up hurting themselves or others if they are not vigilant. They might experience difficulties in relationships, find it difficult to find an employment or job, and have a difficult time being a good parent.
Many children and young adults with ADHD are also in a state of being impulsive. They may fidget, tap their fingers or struggle to wait for their turn. They may not listen to other people and be more likely to engage in risky activities like taking drugs or engaging in sexual activity that is dangerous. Some adults suffering from ADHD also have issues with their moods and become irritable, frustrated or angry easily. They may also be sensitive to criticism or feel that other people are criticising them.
The symptoms of ADHD can vary from person to person and may change as you get older. They can affect anyone regardless of gender, ethnicity or background. ADHD can be treated with medication. It is essential to be aware that treatment doesn't remove all the symptoms of the disorder and can cause adverse side adverse effects.
A camhs adhd assessment is the first step in receiving help for ADHD. This is usually performed by asking your GP to schedule an appointment. They might recommend you to a mental health service for a specialist ADHD assessment.
ELFT's Quality Improvement team (QI) worked with City and Hackney ADHD teams to improve the timeliness and accuracy of their assessment process. The average wait time between assessment and referral was reduced from 12 weeks to less than 12. This is in line with the trust's target.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a medical condition and can be treated with medication, behavioural therapy or education. Parents and children may find it difficult grasp but there are many resources available. Talk to your GP when you or your child is showing symptoms of ADHD. They can refer you to a specialist CAMHS team that will evaluate your child's condition and make a diagnosis.
If your child has been recommended to 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, as well as a teacher who knows their child well to provide feedback. The team will utilize standardised assessments and detailed histories to assess your child's difficulties. They will also send Conners questionnaires to the child, the parent(s), or guardian(s), as well as teachers who know the young person very well.
The CAMHS team will determine if your child requires further testing and refer them to a psychologist who is a clinical. The psychologist will employ different tests to see how your child manages their emotions and behaves in different situations. They will assess the ways your child behaves in a variety of environments, including at home, school and public spaces.
During the exam the clinician will speak to you and your child about what they have found out. They will then make a diagnosis and discuss the options for treatment with you. Medication is often used to aid people suffering from ADHD however it does not eliminate all their symptoms.
Rotherham CAMHS is split into multiple pathways. The "ADHD assessment pathway" falls within the Neurodevelopmental Assessment pathway. Some adolescents and children are assessed for ADHD through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS pathway. This is because they have a higher level of cognitive ability and their difficulties are more complex than the other children and young people who are using CAMHS. The 'ID CAMHS' page on this site provides more details on this pathway.
Treatment
The NHS provides specialized help for children and young people suffering from ADHD through local services in your area. This could include a psychiatrist, psychologist or nurses. You'll be asked to describe your symptoms and how they impact your life. They may also ask your parents, teachers or other caregivers. They may also decide to prescribe medication or suggest alternative treatments. The NHS website has information about treatments and what to expect.
Recent reports2 have exposed the issue of long wait times for CAMHS services. Even with high-quality services waiting times for ADHD assessments can be very long. Although national guidelines3 and local transformation plans4 stress the importance of early detection of children and young people with ADHD and a guideline for assessment has been developed but there is no specific guidance on how long an individual child or young adult should wait to be seen.
This project was developed to reduce the waiting time for the ADHD assessment. This was achieved using an easy tool for data collection and embedding it into the clinical system. This has allowed the average time from the time of referral to the date of the ADHD assessment feedback to be lowered. The QI team would also like to thank City and Hackney CAMHS ADHD for their commitment and hard work throughout the course of this project.
If a medication has been prescribed, the doctors discuss the options available with you and your loved ones. There are a myriad of drugs that can be used to treat ADHD however they all have different adverse effects. It is crucial to know what to expect from any treatment.
There are a variety of non-pharmacological therapies that can help to improve ADHD symptoms. These include parenting programs such as behaviour therapy, and psychological treatments. They can be provided individually or in groups. For those who suffers from ADHD might also find it helpful to use software for organisation and planning.
The project involved twelve people who had been referred recently to the CAMHS ADHD pathway within a local Trust. Interviews were semi-structured and took place over the phone. Participants were selected through a targeted sample method. This method was chosen as it is believed to be more ethical than a controlled trial that is randomised that is typically employed in research studies.
Support
A diagnosis of ADHD can be stressful for parents and young people as the signs and symptoms can be misinterpreted and seen as bad behaviour. Mental health services as well as charities and organisations can offer support. It is essential that families are aware of what is expected during the process of assessment. CAMHS has issued guidelines on the subject, which you can find by clicking the links below.
CAMHS provides assess adhd of treatments for ADHD including medication and lifestyle modifications. It is essential to select the appropriate medication for your child as everyone responds differently to medications. A CAMHS assessment will involve discussions with a physician or nurse and may involve a variety of tests, such as brain scans and blood tests, which can help identify possible causes for the symptoms.
The City and Hackney ADHD team recently completed an improvement project in quality to cut waiting times and improve service user satisfaction. The team met with service users throughout the assessment process, and identified key issues that influenced the design of the pathway. For example, service users felt that the length of the assessment was too long, and there was not enough support to providing postassessment support. Additionally they would like to see more targeted support for families and children who have been diagnosed with ADHD.
In the wake of the QI project, wait times from initial referral to ADHD assessment have decreased dramatically. This is in line with trust-level goals and reflects the focus on enhancing efficiency and capacity across the CAMHS system. The team used a model for 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 assistance for your child, including medication or training courses. Our CAMHS ADHD clinic can provide assistance and support to children who suffer from ADHD.