CAMHS ADHD Assessment
If your child or adolescent experiences difficulties, they could be referred to undergo an 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.
In response to COVID-19 parents and caregivers' responses to interviews highlighted the benefits of remote appointments but also that face-to-face appointments are preferred during assessments.
Symptoms
If a child or a young person you know is suffering from ADHD, they might be unable to sit still, forget things, have difficulties falling asleep and are easily distracted by extraneous stimuli. They might also have trouble managing their tasks and activities at home or at school, struggle to make sense of information and have trouble to follow directions. They may lose their belongings, have difficulties completing assignments or homework and also miss appointments. They may end up hurting themselves or others if not cautious. They could have a difficult time in relationships, have trouble finding work or a job and may find it difficult to be a good friend to their family members.
A few children and young people with ADHD are also in a state of being impulsive. They might fumble or tap their fingers, try to wait for their turn in activities or in a state of constant conversation. They may not pay attention to what others say and are more likely to take risks like drinking or engaging in risky sexual activities. Some adults with ADHD suffer from emotional issues and can easily become irritable or frustrated. They may also be sensitive to criticism or feel that other people are criticising them.
The symptoms of ADHD are different from person to person and change as you get older. They can affect anyone regardless of gender, race or background. ADHD is an illness that can be treated with medication. It is essential to be aware that medication does not eliminate all the symptoms of the disorder and could cause adverse side negative effects.
The first step towards getting assistance for ADHD is to seek a camhs adhd evaluation. This is typically completed by contacting your GP to make an appointment. They might refer you to a mental health clinic for a specialist ADHD assessment.
ELFT's Quality Improvement (QI) team collaborated with the City and Hackney ADHD team to speed up their assessment process. adhd assessments between assessment and feedback was reduced from 12 weeks to less than 12. This is in line with the trust's goals.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a medical condition and can be treated through medication, behavioural therapy or education. Children and parents may find it difficult understand, but there are many resources available. If you believe that you or your child has symptoms of ADHD, speak to a GP. They will refer you to a specialist CAMHS who will examine and determine if your child is suffering from ADHD.
If your child was referred to CAMHS ADHD Assessment Service and is referred to the CAMHS ADHD Assessment Service, they will be viewed by at least one person from the team. They will also request feedback from the child, their parent(s) or carer(s) and the teacher who is familiar with them. The team will employ standard assessment techniques and detailed histories taking to assess your child's challenges. They will also send Conners questionnaires to the child, the parent(s), or guardian(s), and teachers who know the child very well.
The CAMHS team may then decide that your child requires additional tests and will send them to a professional clinical psychologist. The psychologist will employ different tests to assess 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 spaces.
During the examination, your clinician will discuss with you and your child what they have discovered. They will then formulate an assessment and discuss options for treatment with you. It is common to use medication to treat people suffering from ADHD, but this is not enough to eliminate all their symptoms.
Rotherham CAMHS is split into multiple pathways. The "ADHD assessment pathway" is within the Neurodevelopmental Assessment pathway. However, some children and young people have their ADHD assessment done through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS pathway. This is because their cognitive abilities are higher and their challenges more complicated than other children and adolescents who utilize CAMHS. This path is explained in greater detail on the "ID of CAMHS" page on this site.
Treatment
The NHS offers specialist help for children and adolescents with ADHD through a local support service. This might include a psychiatrist, a psychologist or a nurse. They'll ask you to describe your symptoms and how they affect your life. They might also talk to your parents, teachers or other caregivers. They may decide to prescribe medication or suggest alternative treatments. The NHS website offers information about treatments and what you can expect.
Recent reports2 have highlighted the issue of long wait times for CAMHS services. Waiting times for the assessment of ADHD are particularly long, even with good quality care. Although national guidelines3 and local transformation plans4 emphasise the need for early identification of children and young people with ADHD, and guidance on assessment has been provided however there is no clear guidelines on how long a child or young person should wait to see a doctor.
This quality improvement (QI) project was created to cut down on waiting times for the ADHD assessment process. This was accomplished 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 time of referral to the day of the ADHD assessment feedback to be lowered. The QI team would like to thank the City and the Hackney CAMHS ADHD team for their dedication and hard work throughout the project.
If the medication is prescribed, the specialists will discuss the options with you and your family members. There are many medications that can be used to treat ADHD, but they all have distinct side effects. It is important that you understand what to expect from any treatment.
In addition to medications, there are a variety of non-pharmacological treatments that can be used to improve the symptoms of ADHD. These include parenting programmes and behaviour therapy. They can be offered individually or in groups. Someone who suffers from ADHD might also benefit from using organisation and planning apps.
The project involved 12 participants who were recently sent to the CAMHS ADHD pathway within a local Trust. The interviews were semi-structured, and were conducted over the phone. Participants were recruited using a purposeful sampling technique. This was chosen because it is thought to be more ethical than a randomised controlled study that is typically used in 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 behaviour. Mental health services as along with charities and organizations can provide support. It is crucial that families are aware of what to expect from the assessment process. CAMHS have produced guidance on this subject and it can be found in the links below.
CAMHS also provide a range of different treatment options for ADHD which include medication and lifestyle changes. It is essential to select the right medication for your child since each person responds differently to different medications. A CAMHS assessment will involve discussions with a physician or nurse and could involve a variety of tests, including blood tests and brain scans, which can help identify possible causes for the symptoms.
The City and Hackney ADHD team recently launched an improvement in quality to reduce waiting times and improve service user satisfaction. The team conducted a survey of service users during the assessment process and identified the key issues that informed improvements to the pathway. For instance, some service users felt that the length of the assessment was too long, and there was not enough support on offer postassessment. In addition they would like see more targeted assistance for families and children who are diagnosed with ADHD.
After the QI project was implemented, waiting times between initial referral and ADHD assessment were significantly reduced. This is in line with the trust-level goals and reflects the emphasis on improving efficiency and capacity across the CAMHS system. The team employed an approach to change and Plan-Do-Study Act cycles to create positive change within the ADHD process.
A diagnosis of ADHD may also help you get an Education, Health and Care Plan for your child. The EHCP allows schools to provide additional support for your child including medication and training courses. The school can also refer to our CAMHS ADHD clinic for support and advice for children who have received an ADHD diagnosis.