CAMHS ADHD Assessment
If your child or adolescent is experiencing difficulties, they could be sent for 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 and caregivers interviewed in response to COVID-19 emphasized the benefits of remote appointments, but also said that face-to-face appointments are preferred during assessments.
Signs and symptoms
If a child or young person you know is suffering from ADHD, they might be unable to sit still or forgetting things, experience difficulty falling asleep and be easily distracted by distractions. They may also have trouble managing their tasks and activities at school or at home, struggling to comprehend information and may find it difficult to follow instructions. They may lose things, have trouble completing assignments or homework and fail to attend appointments. They may injure themselves or others if they are not cautious. They could have a difficult time in relationships, struggle to find work or a job and might find it difficult to connect with their family members.
Some kids and teens with ADHD are impulsive. They may play with their hands, tap their fingers or struggle to wait their turn. They might not listen to what other people say and could be more likely to be risky, such as drinking or engaging in risky sexual activity. Certain adults with ADHD also have issues with their emotions and can become irritable, frustrated or angry quickly. They may also be overly sensitive or feel that others are criticizing them.
The symptoms of ADHD are different for every person and they can change as people get older. They can affect anyone of any gender, ethnicity or background. ADHD is an illness that can be treated with medication. But it is important to be aware that treatment does not eliminate all the symptoms of the disorder and can cause side effects.
A camhs adhd assessment is the first step in receiving help for ADHD. The most commonly used method to do this is to go to your GP and ask them for an appointment. They can recommend you to a mental service to conduct an ADHD specialist assessment.
ELFT's Quality Improvement (QI) team worked with the City and Hackney ADHD team to speed up 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 goals.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a medical condition that can be treated with medication, behavioral therapy or education. Children and parents might find it difficult to comprehend, but there are many resources available. If you think you or your child is suffering from symptoms of ADHD talk to a GP. They can refer you to an expert CAMHS team who will examine your child and determine if they are suffering from ADHD.
If your child has been sent to the CAMHS ADHD Assessment Service you will be visited by at least one member of the team. They will also seek out the caregivers or parents of the child and a teacher who knows their child well to provide feedback. The team will use standardised assessments and detailed histories to evaluate your child's difficulties. They will also send Conners questionnaires to the child or the parent(s) or guardian(s), and an educator who knows the young person very well.
The CAMHS team will then determine if your child requires further testing and refer them to a psychologist who is a clinical. The psychologist will conduct a variety of tests to determine how your child handles emotions and behaves under various situations. They will look at the way your child behaves in a variety of situations, such as at home, school and public spaces.
During the assessment, the clinician will talk to you and your child about what they've found out. The doctor will then make an assessment, and then discuss the options for treatment with you. People with ADHD are usually treated with medication, however it does not eliminate all symptoms.
Rotherham CAMHS is divided into different pathways, and the "ADHD Assessment pathway" is part of the Neurodevelopmental assessment pathway. Some adolescents and children are assessed for ADHD 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 has more information about this pathway.
Treatment
The NHS provides specialist help for children and young people with ADHD through local services in your area. This could include psychologists or psychiatrists, or even nurses. They'll ask you to describe your symptoms and how they affect your life. They could also speak with your teachers, parents, or other caregivers. They may also decide to prescribe medicine or suggest alternative treatments. The NHS website has information about treatments and what to expect.
A recent report2 identified the issue of lengthy waiting times for CAMHS services. Even with the best care, waiting times for ADHD assessments can be very long. While national guidelines3 as well as local transformation plans4 emphasize the importance of early detection of children and young adults with ADHD and guidelines on assessment has been developed but there is no specific guideline on how long the child or young person should wait to be seen.
This project was developed to cut down on the time it takes for the ADHD assessment. This was achieved by using a simple tool for data collection and integrating it into the clinical system. This has enabled the average amount of time from the date of referral to the day of the ADHD assessment feedback to be reduced. The QI team would also like to thank City and Hackney CAMHS ADHD for their commitment and hard work throughout this project.
If a medication is prescribed, the specialists will discuss the options with you and your family. There are many 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 medications in addition, there are a range of non-pharmacological treatments that can be used to improve the symptoms of ADHD. These include parenting programmes as well as behaviour therapy and psychological treatments. Group or individual sessions are available. Apps that help with organizing and planning could be beneficial for those with ADHD.
The project included 12 participants who were recently sent to the CAMHS ADHD pathway in the local Trust. The interviews were semi-structured and they were conducted over the telephone. Participants were contacted using a purposeful sample technique. This method was chosen as it is thought to be more ethical than a randomised controlled study that is normally used in a research study.
Support
The diagnosis of ADHD is often distressing for both parents and children as the symptoms are often misinterpreted or viewed as bad behavior. However, there is a wealth of support available through mental health services along with organizations and charities that can aid. It is crucial that families understand what to expect from the assessment process. CAMHS has provided guidelines on the subject, which you can find by clicking on the links below.
CAMHS also provide a range of different treatments for ADHD, including lifestyle and medication. It is important to select the appropriate medication for your child since every person reacts differently to medication. 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 of the symptoms.
The City and Hackney ADHD team recently implemented an improvement project in quality to cut down on wait times and improve 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 assessment process. Service users, for example they felt that the assessment was too long and they did not receive enough post-assessment support. In addition they would like to get more specific assistance for families and children who are diagnosed with ADHD.
After the QI project was launched the waiting time between referrals and ADHD assessment significantly decreased. This is in line with trust-level goals and reflects the emphasis on increasing efficiency and capacity across the CAMHS system. The team used a change model and Plan-Do–Study–Act cycles to effect positive changes in the ADHD pathway.
A diagnosis of ADHD can also be helpful in obtaining an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for your child. The EHCP will permit your school to provide additional assistance for your child, including medication or training courses. The school may also consult our CAMHS ADHD clinic for help and support sessions for children who have received an ADHD diagnosis.