CAMHS ADHD Assessment
If your child or teen 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.
Parents and caregivers interviewed in response to COVID-19 emphasized the benefits of remote appointments, but also said that meetings in person are preferable during assessments.
Symptoms
If your child or 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 distractions. They may also struggle to keep up with tasks or activities at home or in school or at home, struggle to comprehend information, and find it hard to follow instructions. They may lose things, have trouble completing assignments or homework and miss appointments. They may injure themselves or others if not cautious. They might have difficulties in relationships, find it hard to find a job or work and have difficulty making friends with their family.
A few children and adolescents with ADHD are impulsive. They might fidget, tap their fingers or struggle to wait their turn. They might not listen to the opinions of others and could be more likely to be risky, such as using drugs or engaging in dangerous sexual activities. Certain adults with ADHD have emotional problems and can easily become irritable or even angry. They might also be overly sensitive to criticism or feel that other people are judging them.
The symptoms of ADHD can vary from individual to individual and can change with age. They can affect people of any age, gender, or background. ADHD is a condition that can be treated by medication. It is important to know that medication cannot remove all symptoms of the disorder, and may cause adverse effects.
The first step to seeking help for ADHD is to seek an assessment for ADHD with a camhs. The most popular method to get this done is to visit your GP and request an appointment. They may refer you to a mental service to conduct an ADHD specialist assessment.
The ELFT's Quality Improvement team (QI) collaborated with City and Hackney ADHD teams to improve the speed and accuracy of their assessment process. book adhd assessment uk between referral and feedback on assessment 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 medications, behavioral therapy, or education. Parents and children may find it difficult to grasp, but there are many resources available. If you believe that you or your child has symptoms of ADHD, speak to an GP. They can refer you to an expert CAMHS team that will evaluate your child's condition and make a diagnosis.
If your child is referred to a CAMHS ADHD assessment service, they will usually be seen by a member or two of the team. They will also ask the caregivers or parents of the child, and a teacher who is familiar with them well for feedback. The team will use standardised assessments and detailed histories to assess your child's needs. They will also send Conners questionnaires to the child or the parent(s), or guardian(s), and a teacher who knows the child well.
The CAMHS team may then decide that your child is in need of further tests and they will refer them to an expert clinical psychologist. The psychologist will conduct a variety of tests to assess how your child handles emotions and behaves in various situations. They will look at how your child behaves at home, in school, and in public places.
During the assessment the doctor will talk with you and your child what they have discovered. They will then formulate an assessment and discuss the options for treatment 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 multiple pathways and the "ADHD Assessment pathway" is part of the Neurodevelopmental assessment pathway. However, some children and young people have their ADHD assessment through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS pathway. This is due to their more cognitive ability and their difficulties are more complex than other children and young people who are using CAMHS. This pathway 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 with ADHD through local services in your area. This could include a psychiatrist, psychologist or a nurse. You'll be asked 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 provides information on treatments and what you can expect.
A recent report2 identified the issue of lengthy waiting times for CAMHS services. Waiting times for the assessment of ADHD are particularly long even when the care is of a high standard. Local plans for transformation4 and national guidelines3 for transformation4 stress the importance of early detection and evaluation of children and adolescents with ADHD. However there are no specific guidelines regarding how long they should wait.
This quality improvement (QI) project was created to cut down on waiting times for the ADHD assessment process. This was achieved using an easy instrument for data collection and embedding it into the clinical system. This has allowed the average time from the date of referral to the date of the ADHD assessment feedback to be lowered. The QI team would like to also thank City and Hackney CAMHS ADHD for their dedication and hardwork throughout the course of this project.
If you are prescribed a medication the doctor will discuss the options with you and your family members. There are many drugs which can treat ADHD. However, they all have different side-effects. It is essential to understand what to expect from any treatment.
In addition to medications, there are a variety of non-pharmacological strategies that can improve the symptoms of ADHD. These include psychotherapies, parenting programs and behaviour therapy. They can be provided individually or in groups. Someone with ADHD may also find it beneficial to use organisation and planning apps.
The project involved 12 participants who were recently sent to the CAMHS ADHD pathway within a local Trust. Interviews were structured and took place via phone. Participants were selected using a purposeful sample technique. This method was chosen because it is considered to be more ethical than a randomised controlled trial 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 seen as unacceptable behavior. However, there is a wealth of resources available through mental health services as well as organizations and charities that can assist. It is crucial that families are aware of what is expected during the process of assessment. CAMHS has produced guidelines on the subject, which can be found by clicking the links below.
CAMHS offers a range of treatments for ADHD including medications and lifestyle modifications. It is important to select the right medication for your child since everyone responds differently to medications. A CAMHS assessment will include discussions with a nurse or doctor and can involve a range of tests, including blood tests and brain scans that can help determine possible causes of the symptoms.
The City and Hackney ADHD team recently completed an improvement project in quality to cut wait times and improve user satisfaction. The team met with service users throughout the assessment process, and identified key themes that informed improvements to the pathway. Service users, for example, felt that the assessment was too lengthy and they felt that there was not enough post-assessment assistance. In addition they would like get more specific support for families and children who receive a diagnosis of ADHD.
In the wake of the QI project, wait time from referral to ADHD assessment have decreased dramatically. This is in line with trust-level goals and reflects the emphasis on improving efficiency and capacity across the CAMHS system. The team utilized the model of change and Plan-Do-Study -Act cycles to drive positive changes in the ADHD pathway.
A diagnosis of ADHD can be beneficial in getting an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for your child. The EHCP will allow your school to provide additional assistance for your child, such as training or medication. Our CAMHS ADHD clinic will provide assistance and support to children who suffer from ADHD.