CAMHS ADHD Assessment
If your child or young person has issues, they may be directed 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 interviews highlighted the benefits of remote appointments, while also stating that face-to-face appointments would be preferred during assessments.
Signs and symptoms
If you have ADHD, your child or teenager may struggle to remain focused and forgetting things, having trouble falling asleep, and is easily distracted by external stimuli. They may also be unable to keep up with their tasks or activities at home or in school or at home, struggle to comprehend information and are unable to follow directions. They might lose things or have difficulty completing homework assignments or assignments, and even have trouble keeping appointments. They could hurt themselves or others if not vigilant. They might have a hard time in relationships, have trouble finding work or a job, and may have difficulty to be a good friend to their family members.
Many children and young adults with ADHD are also hyperactive. They may be impulsive, fidget, or struggle to wait their turn. They might not listen to the opinions of others and could be more likely to take risks like drinking or engaging in risky sexual activities. Many adults suffering from ADHD also have issues with their emotions. They can become angry, frustrated, or angry quickly. They might also be overly sensitive to criticism or believe that others are judging them.
The symptoms of ADHD can vary from individual to individual and can change as you get older. They can affect anyone regardless of gender, race or background. ADHD is treatable with medication. It is important to realize that medication cannot remove all symptoms of the disorder and can have side effects.
The first step towards receiving help for ADHD is to seek an assessment for ADHD with a camhs. It is typically completed by contacting your GP to schedule an appointment. They might refer you to a mental health professional for a specialist ADHD assessment.
adhd assessment scotland (QI) team worked with City and Hackney ADHD team to speed up their assessment process. The result was that the average wait time from referral to feedback from the assessment was reduced to less than 12 weeks. This is in line the trust's goals.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a medical condition and can be treated by medications, behavioural therapy, or education. It isn't easy for children and parents to understand the condition however there is a lot of help available. If you believe that you or your child is suffering from symptoms of ADHD, speak to an GP. They may refer you to a specialist CAMHS team who will examine your child and diagnose them.
If your child is directed to an CAMHS ADHD assessment service they will usually be seen by a couple of members of the team. They will also solicit the caregivers or parents of the child, and a teacher who is familiar with the child well to provide feedback. The team will use standardised assessments and detailed histories to assess your child's challenges. They will also send Conners questionnaires to the child or the parent(s) or guardian(s), and an educator who knows the child very well.
The CAMHS team will then determine that your child needs more tests and send them to a professional clinical psychologist. The psychologist will use various tests to see how your child handles their emotions and behaviour in different situations. They will look at how your child behaves at home, at school, and in public places.
During the evaluation the doctor will talk with you and your child what they have discovered. The clinician will make a diagnosis, and then discuss treatment options with you. It is common to use medication to treat people suffering from ADHD however it does not eliminate all their 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 will receive their ADHD evaluation through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS pathway. This is because their cognitive abilities are higher and their difficulties more complex than the other children and teens who utilize CAMHS. This process is explained in greater detail on the "ID of CAMHS" page on this site.
Treatment
The NHS provides specialist help for children and young people suffering from ADHD through an in-person service within your area. This might include a psychiatrist, psychologist or nurses. You'll be asked to write about your symptoms, and how they impact your life. They might also talk to your parents, teachers, or other carers. They may also decide to prescribe medicine or suggest alternative treatments. The NHS website contains information on treatments and what to expect.
Recent reports have revealed the issue of lengthy wait times for CAMHS services. Even with top-quality treatment waiting times for ADHD assessments are very long. While national guidelines3 as well as local transformation plans4 emphasize the need for early identification of children and young adults with ADHD, and guidance on assessment has been produced, there is no explicit guidance regarding how long the child or young person should wait to be seen.
This quality improvement (QI) project was developed to reduce waiting times for the ADHD assessment process. This was accomplished by using an easy tool for data collection and integration into the clinical system. This has enabled the average time from the time of referral until the date of the ADHD assessment feedback to be lowered. The QI team would like to express our gratitude to the City and Hackney CAMHS ADHD team for their commitment and hard work throughout the project.
If you are prescribed a medication by a specialist, they will discuss the options with you and your family. There are many medications that can be used to treat ADHD, but they all have distinct adverse effects. It is crucial to understand what to expect from any treatment.
There are many non-pharmacological treatments that can help to improve ADHD symptoms. These include parenting programmes, behaviour therapy and psychological therapies. Individual or group sessions are available. Apps that aid in planning and organization could be beneficial for those with ADHD.
The project involved twelve people who had been referred recently to the CAMHS ADHD path within the local Trust. Interviews were structured and were conducted over the phone. Participants were recruited using a purposeful sample technique. This method was chosen because it is considered more ethical than the randomised controlled trial approach that is normally employed in research studies.
Support
The diagnosis of ADHD is often distressing for both parents and children, as the symptoms are often misinterpreted or seen as unacceptable behavior. Mental health services as along with charitable and non-profit organizations can offer support. It's important that families have a clear idea of what to expect during the assessment process. CAMHS has produced guidelines on this subject and it is available in the links below.
CAMHS offers a range of treatments for ADHD including medications and lifestyle modifications. But it is crucial to ensure that the appropriate treatment is selected for your child's needs, as different people react differently to medications. A CAMHS assessment may include discussions with a nurse or doctor and may involve a range of tests, including brain scans and blood tests.
The City and Hackney ADHD team recently launched a quality improvement project to reduce waiting times and improve service customer satisfaction. The team met with service users throughout the assessment process and they identified the main issues that influenced the design of the pathway. Service users, for instance were of the opinion that the assessment was too long and they did not receive enough support after the assessment. They also would like to see more specific support for families and children who are diagnosed with ADHD.
As a result of the QI project, wait times from initial referral to ADHD assessment have been reduced significantly. This is in line with the trust-level goals and reflects the emphasis on enhancing efficiency and capacity across the CAMHS system. The team utilized the model of change and Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles to create positive change within the ADHD pathway.
A diagnosis of ADHD can also help you get an Education, Health and Care Plan for your child. The EHCP allows schools to provide additional support for your child with regards to medication and training courses. The school can also contact our CAMHS ADHD clinic for help and support sessions for children who have been given an ADHD diagnosis.