CAMHS ADHD Assessment
If your child or teen is struggling, they could be directed 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.
In response to COVID-19, interview responses from parents/caregivers pointed out the positives of remote appointments, while also stating that face-to–face appointments would be preferred during assessments.
Signs and symptoms
If you suffer from ADHD, your child or teen might struggle to remain focused or concentrating, snagging 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 in school or at home, struggle to comprehend information, and find it hard to follow instructions. They might often lose their possessions, experience difficulties completing assignments or homework and also miss appointments. If they're not careful, they might hurt themselves or others. They could have a difficult time in relationships, 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 young people with ADHD are also hyperactive. They might be impulsive, fidget, or struggle to wait for their turn. They may not listen to others and be more likely to engage in risky activities such as taking drugs or engaging in sexual activity that is risky. Certain people with ADHD have issues with their emotions and can easily become irritable or even angry. They may also be sensitive to criticism or feel that others are judging them.
The symptoms of ADHD differ for each person and can change as a person gets older. They can affect anyone of any gender, ethnicity or background. ADHD is treatable with medication. It is important to know that medication does not completely eliminate the symptoms of the disorder and can have side effects.
The first step to receiving assistance for ADHD is to get an assessment for ADHD with a camhs. The most popular method for this is to visit your GP and request an appointment. They can recommend you to a mental service to conduct an ADHD specialist assessment.
The ELFT's Quality Improvement (QI) team worked with the City and Hackney ADHD team to improve the timeliness of their assessment process. The average waiting time between assessment and referral was reduced from 12 weeks to less than 12. This is in line the trust's goal.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a medical issue and can be treated through medication, behavioural therapy or education. It can be difficult for parents and children to understand the disorder however there is a lot of help available. Speak with your GP if you or your child exhibits symptoms of ADHD. They may refer you to a specialist CAMHS team who will assess your child and determine if they are suffering from ADHD.
If your child has been recommended to CAMHS ADHD Assessment Service and is referred to the CAMHS ADHD Assessment Service, they will be viewed by at least one of the team members. They will also solicit the caregivers or parents of the child, and a teacher who knows their child well to provide feedback. The team will use standard assessment methods and detailed history taking to determine the child's needs. They will also send Conners questionnaires to the child or the parent(s) or guardian(s) as well as a teacher who knows the child well.
adhd assessment uk online may then decide that your child needs further tests and they will refer them to a clinical psychologist. The psychologist will use different tests to see how your child manages their emotions and behavior in various situations. They will assess the way your child behaves in a variety of environments, including at the home, school and public places.
During the assessment, your clinician will discuss with you and your child what they've discovered. They will then issue an assessment and discuss options for treatment with you. People with ADHD are often treated with medication, but it does not eliminate all symptoms.
Rotherham CAMHS is split into several pathways, and the 'ADHD assessment pathway' falls within the Neurodevelopmental Assessment pathway. However, certain children and young people have their ADHD assessment through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS pathway. This is due to their cognitive abilities are greater and their challenges more complex than those of other children and youth who use CAMHS. This path is explained in greater detail on the "ID CAMHS" page on this site.
Treatment
The NHS offers specialist help to children and adolescents suffering from ADHD via a local service. This might include a psychiatrist, a psychologist or nurses. You will be asked to write about your symptoms, and how they impact your life. They may also speak to your parents, teachers or other caregivers. They may decide to treat you with medicine or suggest different treatment options instead. The NHS website provides information on treatments and what you can expect.
Recent reports have revealed the issue of lengthy wait times for CAMHS services. Even with top-quality care, waiting times for ADHD assessments are very long. While national guidelines3 and local transformation plans4 stress the importance of early detection of children and young adults with ADHD and a guideline for assessment has been developed however there is no clear guidelines regarding how long the child or young person should wait before being seen.
This quality improvement (QI) project was created to speed up the ADHD assessment process. This was achieved by using a simple data collection tool and integrating it into the clinical system. This has enabled the average number of weeks from the date of referral to the day of the ADHD assessment feedback to be reduced. The QI team would like to thank the City and Hackney CAMHS ADHD team for their commitment and hard work throughout the project.
If you are prescribed a medication, the specialists will discuss the options with you and your family. There are a myriad of drugs that can be used to treat ADHD however they all have distinct negative effects. It is important to know what to expect when you start any treatment.
In addition to medication in addition, there are a range of non-pharmacological strategies that can aid in the treatment of ADHD. These include parenting programs and behaviour therapy. They can be delivered individually or in groups. Apps that assist with organisation and planning may be helpful for someone with ADHD.
The project involved twelve participants who had been referred recently to the CAMHS ADHD path within a local Trust. The interviews were semi-structured, and they were conducted via telephone. Participants were contacted by using a deliberate sample technique. This technique was chosen because it is considered more ethical than the randomised controlled trial method that is normally used for a research study.
Support
A diagnosis of ADHD can be stressful for parents and children because the signs can be misunderstood and viewed as bad behavior. However, there are lots of support available from mental health professionals, as well as organizations and charities that can aid. It is crucial that families are aware of what is expected during the assessment process. CAMHS have produced guidance on this subject and it can be found in the links below.
CAMHS also offer a number of different treatments for ADHD which include medications and lifestyle changes. It is essential that the correct treatment is selected for your child, as different individuals respond differently to medications. A CAMHS assessment may include discussions with a doctor or nurse and may involve a range of tests like brain scans and blood tests.
The City and Hackney ADHD team recently launched a quality improvement project to cut down on waiting times and improve service satisfaction of users. The team met with service users throughout the assessment process and identified key issues that influenced the design of the process. For instance, they felt that the length of the assessment was too long and that there was not enough support on providing postassessment support. In addition, they would like to get more specific assistance for families and children who have been diagnosed with ADHD.
As a result of the QI project, wait time from referral to ADHD assessment have decreased dramatically. This is in line with trust-level goals and is a reflection of the focus on increasing efficiency and capacity across the CAMHS system. The team used the model of change and Plan-Do–Study–Act cycles to effect 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 child with regards to training and medication. The school may also contact our CAMHS ADHD clinic for support and advice for children who have been given an ADHD diagnosis.