CAMHS ADHD Assessment
If your child or adolescent experiences difficulty, they may be recommended 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/caregivers interviewed in response to COVID-19 highlighted the positives of remote appointments, but also suggested that face-to-face appointments are preferred for assessment purposes.
Signs and symptoms
If a child or a young person you know is suffering from ADHD they may struggle to remain focused and forgetting things, have difficulty falling asleep and be easily distracted by extraneous stimuli. They may also have trouble managing their tasks and activities at home or at school, struggling to comprehend information and may find it difficult to follow instructions. They may lose things, have trouble completing homework assignments or assignments, and even have trouble keeping appointments. They could hurt themselves or others if not cautious. They may have a difficult time in relationships, struggle to find work or a job, and may find it difficult to connect with their family members.
Some kids and teens with ADHD are hyperactive. They might be impulsive, fidget, or struggle to wait for their turn. They might not be able to listen to others and are more likely to engage in risky activities such as taking drugs or engaging in sexual activity that is risky. Certain adults with ADHD have emotional problems and are prone to becoming angry or angry. They may also be extremely sensitive or feel like others are judging them.
The symptoms of ADHD are different from person to person and may change with age. They can affect anyone of any gender, ethnicity or background. ADHD is cheap adhd assessment that can be treated by medication. But it is important to know that medication doesn't remove all the symptoms of the disorder and could cause adverse side effects.
A camhs adhd assessment is the first step in getting help for ADHD. The most common way to do this is to visit your GP and ask them for an appointment. They might recommend you to a mental health service for a specialist ADHD assessment.
ELFT's Quality Improvement team (QI) worked with the City and Hackney ADHD teams to improve the timeliness and accuracy of their assessment process. The result was that the average time between referral to feedback from the assessment was reduced to less than 12 weeks. This is in the range of the trust's goal.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a medical condition which can be treated through treatment with medication, behavioral therapy or education. Children and parents may find it difficult understand but there are many resources available. If you think you or your child may be suffering from symptoms of ADHD, speak to a GP. They can refer you to a specialist CAMHS team that will evaluate your child and diagnose them.
If your child is being referred to a CAMHS ADHD assessment service they typically will be viewed by a member or two of the team. They will also solicit the caregivers or parents of the child and a teacher who knows them well for feedback. The team will use standard assessment techniques and detailed histories taking to determine your child's challenges. They will also provide Conners questionnaires for the child as well as their parent(s) or guardian(s), and an educator who knows the child well to complete prior the assessment appointment.
The CAMHS team will then decide whether your child needs additional testing and refer them to a psychologist who is a clinical. The psychologist will employ various tests to assess how your child handles their emotions and behaviour in different situations. They will look at the behavior of your child in a range of different environments, including at home, school and public places.
During the examination the doctor will talk with you and your child what they have discovered. The clinician will make an assessment and discuss treatment options with you. The use of medication is frequently used to help people with ADHD, but this does not eliminate all the symptoms.
Rotherham CAMHS is divided into different pathways and the 'ADHD Assessment pathway' falls under the Neurodevelopmental assessment pathway. Some adolescents and children will be evaluated for ADHD through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS path. This is due to their more cognitive ability and their difficulties are more complex than those of other children and young people who utilize CAMHS. This path is further explained on the 'ID of CAMHS" page of this website.
Treatment
The NHS provides specialist assistance to children and adolescents suffering from ADHD through a local service. This could be a psychiatrist or psychologist, or even nurses. They'll ask you to describe your symptoms and how they impact your life. They may also ask your parents, teachers or other caregivers. They might decide to prescribe medication or suggest alternative treatments. The NHS website provides information on treatments and what you can expect.
Recent reports have highlighted the issue of long wait times for CAMHS services. Even with high-quality services waiting times for ADHD assessments are extremely long. While national guidelines3 as well as local transformation plans4 emphasise the importance of early identification of children and young people with ADHD and a guideline for assessment has been developed, there is no explicit guidance on how long the child or young person should wait to be seen.
This project was created to cut down on the time it takes for the ADHD assessment. This was accomplished through a simple tool for collecting data and integration into the clinical system. The average number of weeks between the time the referral was made and the time the ADHD assessment feedback was given has been reduced. The QI team would like to express our gratitude to the City and the Hackney CAMHS ADHD team for their dedication and hard work throughout the project.
If a medication has been prescribed, the doctors discuss the options available with you and your loved ones. There are a variety of medications that can be used to treat ADHD however, they all have distinct side effects. It is essential to be aware of the potential side effects of any treatment.
There are many non-pharmacological treatment options that can help to improve ADHD symptoms. These include psychotherapies, parenting programmes and behaviour therapy. They can be offered individually or in groups. Apps that assist with organisation and planning may be beneficial for those with ADHD.
The project involved twelve people who were recently referred to the CAMHS ADHD pathway within the local Trust. Interviews were structured and took place over the phone. Participants were recruited through a purposeful sampling technique. This technique was chosen because it is considered to be more ethical than the randomised controlled trial approach that is normally used for a research study.
Support
The diagnosis of ADHD is often distressing for both parents and children, since the signs are often misinterpreted or seen as unacceptable behavior. However, there are lots of resources available from mental health services, as well as organisations and charities that can aid. It is essential that families know what to expect from the assessment process. CAMHS have produced guidance on this, and it can be found in the links below.
CAMHS also offer a number of different treatments for ADHD that include medications and lifestyle changes. But it is crucial to ensure that the appropriate treatment is selected for your child, since different individuals respond differently to different medications. A CAMHS assessment will involve discussions with a doctor or nurse and can involve a range of tests, including brain scans and blood tests, which can help identify possible causes for the symptoms.
The City and Hackney ADHD team recently launched a quality improvement project to cut waiting times and increase customer satisfaction. The team conducted a series of meetings with service users throughout the assessment process, and identified the main themes that informed improvements to the pathway. Service users, for instance they felt that the assessment was too long and that there was not enough post-assessment assistance. In addition they would like to get more specific assistance for families and children who receive a diagnosis of ADHD.
As a result of the QI project, wait time from referral to ADHD assessment have decreased substantially. This is in line with the trust-level goals and reflects the emphasis on enhancing efficiency and capacity across the CAMHS system. The team employed the model of change and Plan-Do-Study Act cycles to create positive change in the ADHD process.
A diagnosis of ADHD can also help you obtain an Education, Health and Care Plan for your child. The EHCP allows your school to provide additional support for your children including medication and training courses. The school can also consult our CAMHS ADHD clinic for advice and support sessions for children who have been given an ADHD diagnosis.