CAMHS ADHD Assessment
If your child or young person is struggling, they could be directed 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/caregivers interviewed in response to COVID-19 emphasized the benefits of remote appointments, but also said that meetings in person are preferable for assessments.
Signs and symptoms
If you have ADHD your child or teen may be unable to sit still and forgetting things, unable to fall asleep, and being easily distracted by external stimuli. They might also have difficulty staying on top of tasks and activities at school or at home. They may struggling to comprehend information and have trouble to follow directions. They may lose their possessions, experience difficulties with their homework or assignments and may miss appointments. They may end up hurting themselves or others if they are not vigilant. They could have a difficult relationship, find it difficult to find work or a job and may have difficulty to get on with their family members.
A few children and young people with ADHD are also in a state of being impulsive. They might fidget or tap their fingers, struggle to wait for their turn in their activities, or be in a state of constant conversation. They may not pay attention to what other people say and are more likely to be risky, such as drinking or engaging in risky sexual interactions. Certain adults with ADHD also have issues with their emotions and can become angry, frustrated, or angry quickly. They may also be sensitive to criticism or believe that others are judging them.
The symptoms of ADHD are different for everyone and can change as a person gets older. They can affect anyone of any gender, ethnicity or background. ADHD can be treated by medication. It is important to realize that medication does not completely eliminate the symptoms of the disorder and may cause adverse effects.
The first step to receiving help for ADHD is to have a camhs adhd evaluation. This is usually completed by contacting your GP to schedule an appointment. They may refer you to a mental health professional to conduct a specialist ADHD assessment.
The ELFT's Quality Improvement team (QI) worked with City and Hackney ADHD teams to improve the timeliness and accuracy of their assessment process. As a result, the average waiting time from referral to feedback from the assessment was reduced to less than 12 weeks. This is in the range of the trust's goal.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a medical condition and can be treated with medication, behavioural therapy or education. It can be a challenge for children and parents to understand the disorder however there is plenty of help available. Talk to your GP If you or your child exhibits symptoms of ADHD. They can refer you to a specialist CAMHS who will evaluate and diagnose your child.
If your child has been referred to CAMHS ADHD Assessment Service and is referred to the CAMHS ADHD Assessment Service, they will be viewed by at least one member of the team. They will also ask for feedback from the child and their parent(s) or carer(s), and an educator who knows them well. The team will use standard assessment methods and detailed history taking to evaluate your child's challenges. They will also send Conners questionnaires to the child or the parent(s), or guardian(s), as well as an educator who knows the child very well.
The CAMHS team could then decide that your child is in need of more tests and refer them to a clinical psychologist. The psychologist will employ a variety of tests to assess how your child handles emotions and behaves in different situations. They will look at the way your child behaves in a range of different situations, such as at the home, school and public spaces.
During the assessment the clinician will discuss with you and your child about what they've discovered. They will then make a diagnosis and discuss the options for treatment with you. Medication is often used to help people with ADHD, but this will not remove all of their symptoms.
Rotherham CAMHS is divided into different pathways, and the "ADHD Assessment pathway" is part of the Neurodevelopmental assessment pathway. Some adolescents and children will be assessed for ADHD through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS pathway. This is because they have more cognitive ability and their challenges are more complex than other children and young people who use CAMHS. This path is further explained on the 'ID of CAMHS" page on this website.
Treatment
The NHS provides specialist assistance for children and adolescents with ADHD via a local service. This could include a psychiatrist psychologist or nurses. You will be asked 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 medicine or suggest alternative treatments instead. 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. Even with the best care, waiting times for ADHD assessments are very long. Local plans for transformation4 and national guidelines3 for transformation4 stress the importance of early identification and assessment of adolescents and children with ADHD. However there are no specific guidelines regarding how long they should wait.
This project was developed to speed up the time for the ADHD assessment. This was achieved by using an easy data collection tool and embedding it in the clinical system. The average number of weeks between the time the referral was made to the date the ADHD assessment feedback was provided was reduced. The QI team would like to also thank City and Hackney CAMHS ADHD for their dedication and hardwork throughout this project.
If the medication is prescribed the doctor will discuss the options with you and your family. There are many medications which can treat ADHD. However they all have distinct 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, behaviour therapy and psychological therapies. Sessions for groups or individuals are available. For those with ADHD might also benefit from using software for organisation and planning.
adhd assessment involved twelve participants who had been referred recently to the CAMHS ADHD route within the local Trust. Interviews were structured and took place over the phone. Participants were recruited by using a deliberate sample technique. This method was chosen as it is believed to be more ethical than a randomised controlled study that is normally employed in research studies.
Support
The diagnosis of ADHD can be a stressful experience for parents and children alike, because the symptoms are often misinterpreted or seen as bad behavior. However, there are lots of resources available through mental health services along with organizations and charities that can help. It is crucial that families have a clear idea of what is expected during the process of assessment. CAMHS has produced guidelines on the subject which can be found by clicking the below links.
CAMHS offers a range of treatments for ADHD including medication and lifestyle changes. But it is crucial that the correct treatment is selected for your child, as different people respond differently to medications. A CAMHS assessment can include discussions with a nurse or doctor and can involve a variety of tests like brain scans and blood tests.
The City and Hackney ADHD team recently completed a quality improvement project to cut down on waiting times and increase user satisfaction. The team consulted service users during the assessment process, and identified the key issues that informed improvements to the pathway. Service users, for instance were of the opinion that the assessment was too lengthy and that there was not enough post-assessment assistance. In addition they would like to receive more specific support for families and children who are diagnosed with ADHD.
After the QI project was completed the waiting intervals between referral and ADHD assessment significantly decreased. This is in line with goals of trust and reflects an emphasis on enhancing efficiency and capability across the CAMHS System. The team utilized a model for change and Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles to create positive change in the ADHD pathway.
A diagnosis of ADHD could also assist 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, for example training or medication. The school can also contact our CAMHS ADHD clinic for support and advice for children who have been given an ADHD diagnosis.