CAMHS ADHD Assessment
If your child or young person has difficulties they may be sent 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.
Parents and caregivers who were interviewed in response COVID-19 emphasized the benefits of remote appointments, but also that face-to-face appointments are preferred for assessment purposes.
Symptoms
If you suffer from ADHD, your child or teen might struggle to remain focused, forgetting things, having difficulty falling asleep, and being easily distracted by external stimuli. They might also have trouble managing their tasks and activities at home or at school, struggle to make sense of information and may find it difficult to follow instructions. They might often lose their belongings, have difficulty completing homework or assignments and may miss appointments. If they're not careful, they could cause harm to themselves or others. They may have difficulty in relationships, and find it hard to find a job or work and have trouble making friends with their family.
Some children and young people with ADHD are also impulsive. They might play with their hands, tap their fingers or struggle to wait their turn. They may not listen to others and are more likely to engage in risky activities like taking drugs or engaging in sexual activity that is dangerous. Some adults with ADHD also have issues with their moods and be angry, frustrated or angry quickly. They might also be excessively sensitive or feel that other people are judging them.
The symptoms of ADHD can differ from person to person and may change with age. They can affect anyone of any age, gender, or background. ADHD is a condition that is treated by medication. It is important to realize that medication cannot remove all symptoms of the disorder, and it can cause side effects.
An assessment of the camhs adhd is the first step towards receiving assistance for ADHD. It is usually performed by asking your GP to schedule an appointment. They can recommend you to a mental health service for an ADHD specialist assessment.
ELFT's Quality Improvement (QI) team worked with City and Hackney ADHD team to improve the timeliness of their assessment process. The average wait time between assessment and referral was reduced from 12 weeks to less than 12. This is in line with the trust's target.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a medical issue that can be treated by treatment with medication, behavioral therapy or education. It can be difficult for children and parents to understand the disorder however there is plenty of support available. Speak with your GP If you or your child exhibits symptoms of ADHD. They will refer you to a specialist CAMHS who will examine and diagnose your child.
If your child is directed to a CAMHS ADHD assessment service they are usually seen by a member or two of the team. They will also request feedback from the child and their parent(s) or carer(s) as well as a teacher that knows them well. The team will utilize standardised assessments and detailed histories to assess your child's needs. They will also distribute Conners questionnaires to the child and their parent(s) or guardian(s), and a teacher that knows the child well to complete before the assessment appointment.
The CAMHS team will then determine whether your child needs further tests and refer them to a psychologist who is a clinical. The psychologist will conduct a variety of tests to assess how your child handles emotions and behaves in various situations. They will look at the way your child behaves in a variety of settings, including school, home and other public spaces.
During the assessment the clinician will discuss with you and your child about what they have discovered. The clinician will issue an assessment, and then discuss treatment options with you. People with ADHD are usually treated by medication, but it does not eliminate all symptoms.
Rotherham CAMHS is divided into various pathways and the "ADHD Assessment pathway" is part of the Neurodevelopmental assessment pathway. Some children and adolescents will be evaluated for ADHD through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS pathway. This is due to their a higher level of cognitive ability and their challenges are more complex than the other children and young people who use CAMHS. This process is described in more detail on the "ID CAMHS" page on this website.
Treatment
The NHS offers specialist help to children and adolescents with ADHD through a local support service. This might include a psychiatrist, psychologist or a nurse. You'll be asked to explain your symptoms, and how they impact your life. They may also speak to your parents, teachers or other caregivers. They could decide to treat you with medication or suggest alternative treatments instead. The NHS website provides information on treatments and what to expect.
Recent reports2 have exposed the issue of long wait times for CAMHS services. Even with high-quality services waiting times for ADHD assessments are very long. While national guidelines3 and local transformation plans4 emphasize the importance of early identification of children and young adults with ADHD and a guideline for assessment has been produced but there is no specific guidelines regarding how long an individual child or young adult should wait before being seen.
This quality improvement (QI) project was created to reduce waiting times for the ADHD assessment process. This was accomplished by using an easy instrument for data collection and integrating it into the clinical system. This has allowed the average number of weeks from the time of referral to the day of the ADHD assessment feedback to be reduced. The QI team would like to thank City and Hackney CAMHS ADHD for their commitment and dedication throughout this project.
If a medication has been prescribed, your doctor will discuss the available options with you and your loved ones. There are adhd assessment cost of drugs that can be used to treat ADHD however, they all have different side effects. It is essential to understand what to expect from any treatment.
There are a variety of non-pharmacological therapies that can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. These include parenting programmes as well as behaviour therapy and psychological treatments. Sessions for groups or individuals are available. Someone who suffers from ADHD might also find it helpful to use organisation and planning apps.
The project involved twelve participants who had been referred recently to the CAMHS ADHD path within the local Trust. The interviews were semi-structured and were conducted over the phone. Participants were recruited by using a deliberate sample technique. This method was chosen as it is considered more ethical than the randomised controlled trial approach that is normally employed in research studies.
Support
A diagnosis of ADHD can be a source of stress for parents and young people, as the symptoms can be misinterpreted and seen as bad behavior. Mental health services as along with charities and organizations can offer support. It is crucial that families are aware of what is expected during the assessment process. CAMHS have produced guidance on this, and it can be found in the links below.
CAMHS provides a range of treatments for ADHD including medication and lifestyle changes. It is crucial to choose the appropriate medication for your child as each person responds differently to different medications. A CAMHS assessment can include discussions with a nurse or doctor and may include a variety of tests, including brain scans and blood tests.
The City and Hackney ADHD team recently completed an improvement in quality to reduce waiting times and improve service satisfaction of users. The team spoke with service users throughout the assessment process, and identified key themes which led to improvements to the process. Service users, for instance, felt that the assessment was too long and that there was not enough support after the assessment. Additionally, they would like to receive more specific support for families and children who have been diagnosed with ADHD.
After the QI project was implemented, waiting time between referrals and ADHD assessment were significantly reduced. This is in line with goals of trust and reflects the importance of improving efficiency and capability across the CAMHS System. The team utilized an approach to change and Plan-Do-Study Act cycles to effect positive changes in the ADHD process.
A diagnosis of ADHD could also assist in obtaining an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for your child. The EHCP allows your school to provide additional support for your children with regards to training and medication. The school may also refer to our CAMHS ADHD clinic for help and support sessions for children who have received an ADHD diagnosis.