CAMHS ADHD Assessment
If your child or adolescent experiences difficulty, they may be recommended 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.
In psychiatry-uk adhd assessment to COVID-19 parents and caregivers' responses to interviews highlighted positives around remote appointments, while also stating 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 other stimuli. They may also struggle to keep up with the demands of tasks or activities at school or home and have difficulty understanding information and are unable to follow directions. They could lose their belongings, have difficulties completing assignments or homework and miss appointments. They may injure themselves or others if they are not vigilant. They might have a hard relationship, find it difficult to find jobs or work, and might find it difficult to be a good friend to their family members.
Some children and adolescents with ADHD are hyperactive. They may be impulsive, fidget, or struggle to wait for their turn. They might not be able to listen to other people and be more likely to engage in risky activities like taking drugs or engaging in sexual activities that are dangerous. Certain adults with ADHD have issues with their emotions and can easily become irritable or frustrated. They might also be excessively sensitive or feel like others are judging them.
The symptoms of ADHD are different for everyone and they change as a person gets older. They can affect anyone of any age, gender, or background. ADHD can be treated with medication. It is important to realize that medication is not able to eliminate all symptoms of the disorder and can have side effects.
A camhs adhd assessment is the first step towards receiving help for ADHD. This is typically completed by contacting your GP to make an appointment. They may refer you to a mental clinic for an ADHD specialist assessment.
ELFT's Quality Improvement team (QI) worked with City and Hackney ADHD teams to improve the speed and accuracy of their assessment process. In the end, the average wait time from referral to assessment feedback was reduced to less than 12 weeks. This is in line the trust's mission.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a medical issue and can be treated with medication, behavioural therapy or education. Parents and children may find it difficult comprehend, but there are many resources available. If you believe that you or your child may be suffering from symptoms of ADHD consult a GP. They can refer you to an expert CAMHS team that will evaluate your child and determine if they are suffering from ADHD.
If your child is referred to an CAMHS ADHD assessment service they are usually seen by one or two members of the team. They will also ask for feedback from the child as well as their parent(s) or carer(s), and a teacher that is familiar with them. The team will employ standardised assessments as well as detailed histories to determine your child's needs. They will also send Conners questionnaires to the child as well as the parent(s), or guardian(s), and teachers who know the young person very well.
The CAMHS team will then decide if your child requires further testing and refer them a psychologist who is a clinical. The psychologist will employ different tests to see how your child handles their emotions and behavior in various situations. They will examine the way your child behaves at home, in school and in public spaces.
During the evaluation the doctor will talk with you and your child what they have discovered. They will then make an assessment and discuss options for treatment with you. Patients with ADHD are usually treated with medication, however it does not eliminate all symptoms.
Rotherham CAMHS is divided into several pathways, and the "ADHD assessment pathway" is within the Neurodevelopmental Assessment pathway. Certain children and adolescents will be assessed for ADHD through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS path. This is due to the fact that they have an elevated cognitive capability and their issues are more complex than the other children and young people who utilize CAMHS. This process is further explained on the "ID the CAMHS" page on this site.
Treatment
The NHS provides specialized help for children and young people with ADHD through local services in your area. This might include a psychiatrist psychologist or nurses. You'll be asked to explain your symptoms and how they impact your life. They might also talk to your parents, teachers or other carers. They might decide to treat you with medication or suggest different treatment options instead. The NHS website has information about treatments and what you can expect.
Recent reports have revealed the issue of lengthy wait times for CAMHS services. The wait times for the evaluation of ADHD are particularly long, even when the care is of a high standard. National guidelines3 and local plans for transformation4 emphasize the importance of early detection and assessment of children and adolescents suffering from ADHD. However there aren't any explicit guidelines on how long they should wait.
This project was created to reduce the waiting time for the ADHD assessment. This was achieved using a simple tool for data collection and embedding it into the clinical system. The average number of weeks between the date the referral was made to the date the ADHD assessment feedback was provided was decreased. The QI team would like to thank the City and the Hackney CAMHS ADHD team for their commitment and hard work during this project.
If a medication has been prescribed, your doctor will discuss the options available with you and your loved ones. There are many drugs that can be used to treat ADHD however, they all have distinct adverse effects. It is important that you know what to expect from any treatment.
There are many non-pharmacological treatment options that can help to improve ADHD symptoms. These include parenting programs, and behavior therapy. Sessions for groups or individuals are available. Apps that assist with organizing and planning could be beneficial to someone suffering from ADHD.
The project involved 12 participants who were recently referred to the CAMHS ADHD route within the local Trust. The interviews were semi-structured and they took place over the telephone. Participants were recruited using an intentional sampling technique. This technique was chosen because it is considered more ethical than the randomised controlled trial method that is normally used in a research study.
Support
A diagnosis of ADHD can be stressful for parents and children, as the symptoms are often misinterpreted and viewed as bad behavior. Mental health services, as well as charities and organisations can provide assistance. It is important that families are aware of what to expect from the assessment process. CAMHS have provided guidance on this and this is available in the links below.
CAMHS also offer a number of different treatment options for ADHD, including medication and lifestyle changes. It is essential to select the right medication for your child, as everyone responds differently to medications. A CAMHS assessment may 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 implemented a quality improvement project to cut waiting times and increase user satisfaction. The team consulted with service users throughout the assessment process and they identified the main issues that influenced the design of the process. Service users, for example, felt that the assessment was too long and they felt that there was not enough post-assessment assistance. They also would like to see more specific support for children and their families who have been diagnosed with ADHD.
After the QI project was launched the waiting times between initial referral and ADHD assessment significantly decreased. This is in line with trust-level targets and is a reflection of the focus on increasing efficiency and capacity across the CAMHS system. The team employed the change model and Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles to create positive changes in the ADHD process.
A diagnosis of ADHD can be beneficial in obtaining an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for your child. The EHCP will permit your school to put in place additional support for your child, including training or medication. The school may also refer to our CAMHS ADHD clinic for advice and support sessions for children who have received an ADHD diagnosis.