CAMHS ADHD Assessment
If your child or young person has issues, 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 interviewed in response to COVID-19 have highlighted the advantages of remote appointments, but also that face-toface appointments would be preferable for assessments.
Signs and symptoms
If a child or young person you know is suffering from ADHD They may struggle to remain focused or forgetting things, experience difficulty falling asleep and be easily distracted by distractions. 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 directions. They might often lose their possessions, have difficulties with their homework or assignments and may miss appointments. If they are not careful, they might cause harm to themselves or others. They might have a hard relationship, and have trouble finding work or a job and may find it difficult to be a good friend to their family members.
Many children and young adults with ADHD are also hyperactive. They might fumble or tap their fingers, try to be the first to turn in activities or in a state of constant conversation. They might not listen to the opinions of others and might be more inclined to take risks, such as drinking or engaging in risky sexual interactions. Some adults with ADHD have issues with their emotions and can easily become angry or frustrated. They might also be overly sensitive to criticism or believe that others are criticising them.
The symptoms of ADHD are different for every person and can change as people get older. They can affect anyone regardless of race, gender or background. ADHD is treatable with medication. However, it is crucial to know that medication doesn't eliminate all the signs of the disorder and could cause side adverse effects.
The first step towards getting help for ADHD is to have an assessment for ADHD with a camhs. The most popular method for this is to go to your GP and request an appointment. They could refer you to a mental clinic to conduct an ADHD specialist assessment.
The ELFT's Quality Improvement team (QI) collaborated with City and Hackney ADHD teams to improve the timeliness and accuracy of their assessment process. The average wait time between referral and feedback on assessment was reduced from 12 weeks to less than 12. This is in the range of the trust's goal.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a medical issue that can be treated by medication, behavioral therapy or education. It isn't easy for parents and children to comprehend the condition however there is plenty of support available. If you believe that you or your child may be suffering from symptoms of ADHD consult an GP. They can refer you to a specialist CAMHS who will examine and diagnose your child.
If your child is being referred to an CAMHS ADHD assessment service they will usually be seen by one or two members of the team. They will also solicit the child's parents or caregivers, as well as a teacher who knows the child well to provide 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, their parent(s) or guardian(s), and an educator who knows the young person well to complete before the assessment appointment.
The CAMHS team will then determine that your child is in need of additional tests and will send them to a professional clinical psychologist. The psychologist will employ a variety of tests to determine how your child handles emotions and behaves under various situations. They will look at the ways your child behaves in a range of different environments, including at home, school and public spaces.
During the evaluation your doctor will discuss with you and your child what they have discovered. The doctor will then make an assessment and discuss the options for treatment with you. Medication is often used to aid people suffering from ADHD however it does not eliminate all their symptoms.
Rotherham CAMHS is divided into different pathways, and the "ADHD Assessment pathway" falls under the Neurodevelopmental assessment pathway. However, some children and young people will have their ADHD assessment done through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS pathway. This is because their cognitive abilities are greater and their difficulties more complex than those of other children and adolescents who utilize CAMHS. The 'ID CAMHS' section on this website provides more information about this pathway.
Treatment
The NHS provides specialist assistance for children and adolescents with ADHD through a local support service. This could include a psychiatrist or psychologist, or even a nurse. They may ask you to describe your symptoms and how they impact your life. They might also talk to your parents, teachers, or other caregivers. They could decide to treat you with a medication or suggest different treatments instead. The NHS website provides information on treatments and what you can expect.
A recent report2 highlighted the issue of long waiting times for CAMHS services. Even with high-quality treatment, waiting times for ADHD assessments are very long. Local plans and guidelines3 as well as national guidelines3 for transformation4 emphasize the importance of early detection and assessment of adolescents and children with ADHD. However, there are no explicit guidelines regarding how long they should wait.
This quality improvement (QI) project was created to speed up the ADHD assessment process. This was achieved through the use of an easy data collection tool and embedding it in the clinical system. The average number of weeks between the time the referral was made and the date the ADHD assessment feedback was provided has been reduced. The QI team would like to thank the City and Hackney CAMHS ADHD team for their commitment and hard work throughout this project.
If the medication is prescribed the doctor will discuss the options with you and your family. There are a variety of medicines that can be utilized to treat ADHD however, they all have distinct negative effects. It is crucial to understand what to expect from any treatment.
In addition to medications There are a myriad of non-pharmacological treatments that can aid in the treatment of ADHD. These include parenting programmes as well as behaviour therapy and psychological treatments. They can be offered individually or in groups. Apps that assist with organizing and planning could be beneficial for those with ADHD.
The project involved 12 participants who were recently been referred to the CAMHS ADHD pathway within the local Trust. The interviews were semi-structured and they were conducted over the telephone. Participants were selected by using a deliberate sample technique. This technique was chosen because it is considered more ethical than the randomised controlled trial method that would normally be employed in research studies.
Support
The diagnosis of ADHD is often a source of anxiety for parents and children alike, since the signs are often misunderstood or viewed as unacceptable behavior. Mental health services as well as charities and organisations can offer support. It is essential that families are aware of what is expected during the process of assessment. CAMHS has produced guidance on the subject, which can be found by clicking the links below.
CAMHS also provide a variety of different treatment options for ADHD that include medication and lifestyle changes. It is essential to select the right medication for your child since every person reacts differently to medication. A CAMHS evaluation may involve discussions with a doctor or nurse and may include a variety of tests, including brain scans and blood tests.
The City and Hackney ADHD team recently completed an improvement project in quality to cut down on waiting times and improve service satisfaction of users. The team consulted with service users throughout the assessment process and they identified key themes that informed the improvement of the pathway. Service users, for instance were of the opinion that the assessment was too lengthy and they did not receive enough support after the assessment. They also want to see more targeted support for children and their families who are diagnosed with ADHD.
As a result of the QI project, the wait time from referral to ADHD evaluation have been reduced significantly. diva assessment for adhd is in line with trust-level targets and reflects the focus on improving efficiency and capacity across the CAMHS system. The team used the model of change and Plan-Do-Study Act cycles to effect positive change within the ADHD pathway.
A diagnosis of ADHD may also help you obtain an Education, Health and Care Plan for your child. The EHCP allows your school to provide additional support for your child including training and medication. The school may also contact our CAMHS ADHD clinic for help and support sessions for children who have received an ADHD diagnosis.