CAMHS ADHD Assessment
If your child or adolescent is experiencing difficulty, they may 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.
Parents and caregivers who were interviewed in response COVID-19 have highlighted the advantages of remote appointments, but also that meetings in person are preferable for assessments.
Signs and symptoms
If you have ADHD your child or teenager may struggle to remain focused, forgetting things, unable to fall asleep, and being easily distracted by external stimuli. They might also have difficulty trying to keep up with their tasks or activities at home or at school and have difficulty understanding information, and find it hard to follow directions. They may lose things, have trouble completing assignments or homework and fail to attend appointments. They could hurt themselves or others if they are not careful. They could have a difficult relationship, find it difficult to find work or a job, and may find it difficult to be a good friend to their family members.
Some children and adolescents with ADHD are impulsive. They might fidget or tap their fingers, struggle to get their turn in their activities, or be incapable of stopping talking. They might not be able to listen to others and be more likely to engage in risky activities like taking drugs or engaging in sexual activity that is dangerous. Certain adults with ADHD suffer from emotional issues and can easily become irritable or even angry. They might also be overly sensitive to criticism or believe that others are criticising them.
The symptoms of ADHD are different from person to person and change with age. They can affect people of any age, gender, or background. ADHD is a condition that can be treated with medication. But it is important to be aware that medication doesn't remove all the symptoms of the disorder and could cause adverse side negative effects.
An assessment of the camhs adhd is the first step towards receiving help for ADHD. The most popular method to do this is to visit your GP and ask them for an appointment. They could recommend you to a mental health service for an ADHD specialist assessment.
ELFT's Quality Improvement (QI) team collaborated with the City and Hackney ADHD team to improve the timeliness of their assessment process. As a result, the average waiting time from referral to feedback on assessment was reduced to less than 12 weeks. This is in line with the trust's target.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a medical disorder that can be treated by treatment with medication, behavioral therapy or education. It can be difficult for parents and children to understand the disorder however there is plenty of support available. If you think you or your child may be suffering from symptoms of ADHD talk to an GP. They will refer you to a specialist CAMHS who will evaluate and determine if your child is suffering from ADHD.
If your child has been sent to the CAMHS ADHD Assessment Service you will be visited by at least one person from the team. They will also request feedback from the child and their parent(s) or carer(s) as well as a teacher that knows them well. The team will use standardised assessment techniques and detailed history taking to assess your child's difficulties. They will also send Conners questionnaires to the child as well as the parent(s), or guardian(s) and a teacher who knows the child well.
linked website will then determine that your child requires additional tests and will send them to a professional clinical psychologist. The psychologist will use different tests to determine how your child manages emotions and behaves in different situations. They will examine the ways your child behaves in a variety of environments, including at home, school and public spaces.
During the examination your doctor will discuss with you and your child what they have discovered. They will then make an assessment and discuss options for treatment with you. Patients with ADHD are usually treated with medication, but it is not a cure for all symptoms.
Rotherham CAMHS is divided into several pathways, and the 'ADHD assessment pathway' falls within the Neurodevelopmental Assessment pathway. However, some children and young people have their ADHD assessment through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS pathway. This is due to their cognitive abilities are higher and their challenges more complicated than other children and adolescents who utilize CAMHS. The 'ID CAMHS' section on this website provides more details on this pathway.
Treatment
The NHS provides specialist help for children and young people suffering from ADHD through local services in your area. This could include psychologists or psychiatrists or even nurses. You will be asked to explain your symptoms and how they affect your life. They could also speak with your teachers, parents or other caregivers. They might decide to prescribe medicine or suggest alternative treatments. 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. Waiting times for the assessment of ADHD are particularly long even when the care is of a high standard. Local plans and guidelines3 as well as national guidelines3 for transformation4 stress the importance of early identification and evaluation of adolescents and children with ADHD. However there are no specific guidelines regarding how long they should wait.
This project was created to cut down on the time it takes for the ADHD assessment. This was accomplished by using an easy data collection tool and integrating it into the clinical system. The average number of weeks between the date the referral was made and the date the ADHD assessment feedback was given has been decreased. The QI team would like to express our gratitude to the City and Hackney CAMHS ADHD team for their commitment and hard work throughout this project.
If a medication has been prescribed, your doctor will discuss the available options with you and your family members. There are a myriad of medicines that can be utilized to treat ADHD however, they all have different adverse effects. It is essential to be aware of the potential side effects before you start any treatment.
There are many non-pharmacological treatment options that can aid in the reduction of ADHD symptoms. These include parenting programmes, behaviour therapy and psychological therapies. They can be provided individually or in groups. For those 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 the local Trust. Interviews were semi-structured and conducted via phone. Participants were selected by using a deliberate sample technique. This technique was chosen because it is regarded to be more ethical than the randomised controlled trial approach that would normally be used in a research study.
Support
The diagnosis of ADHD can be a stressful experience for both parents and children, because the symptoms are often misinterpreted or seen as unacceptable behavior. However, there are lots of support available through mental health services along with organizations and charities that can help. It is essential that families are aware of what to expect during the process of assessment. CAMHS has produced guidelines on this subject and it is available in the link s below.
CAMHS offers a variety of treatments for ADHD including medication and lifestyle changes. It is essential to select the appropriate medication for your child, as everyone responds differently to medications. A CAMHS assessment may include discussions with a doctor or nurse and may involve a range of tests, including brain scans and blood tests.
The City and Hackney ADHD Team recently implemented a project to improve the quality of service and reduce waiting time. The team conducted a series of meetings with service users throughout the assessment process and identified key themes that informed the improvement of the process. For example, service users felt that the length of the assessment was too long, and there was not enough support on the post-assessment. Additionally they would like to see more targeted support for families and children who receive a diagnosis of ADHD.
After the QI project was completed, waiting times between initial referral and ADHD evaluation were drastically reduced. This is in line the goals of trust and reflects an emphasis on enhancing efficiency and capability across the CAMHS System. The team employed the model of change and Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles to create positive changes in the ADHD pathway.
A diagnosis of ADHD may also help you obtain an Education, Health and Care Plan for your child. The EHCP allows your school to provide additional assistance for your children, such as medication and training courses. Our CAMHS ADHD clinic can offer support and guidance for children suffering from ADHD.