CAMHS ADHD Assessment

If your child or teenager has difficulties they may be referred 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.

In response to COVID-19, interview responses from parents/caregivers highlighted the benefits of remote appointments, but also that face-to–face appointments would be preferred during assessments.


Signs and symptoms

If you have ADHD, your child or teen may be unable to sit still or concentrating, snagging things, having difficulty falling asleep, and getting easily distracted by external stimuli. They might also have difficulty keeping up with tasks and activities at home or at school, struggling to understand information and find it difficult to follow directions. They might lose items or have difficulty completing homework assignments or assignments, and even miss appointments. They may end up hurting themselves or others if not vigilant. They might have difficulties in relationships, and find it difficult to get jobs or jobs, and have a difficult time being a good parent.

Some children and adolescents with ADHD are hyperactive. They might 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 behaviors such as taking drugs or engaging in sexual activities that are dangerous. Some people with ADHD also have problems with their moods and be angry, frustrated or angry quickly. They may also be sensitive to criticism or feel that others are judging them.

The symptoms of ADHD are different from person to person and may change with age. They can affect anyone, regardless of gender, race or background. ADHD is treatable with medication. However, it is crucial to be aware that medication does not eliminate all the symptoms of the disorder, and may cause side negative effects.

A camhs adhd assessment is the first step towards receiving assistance for ADHD. The most commonly used method to do this is to go to your GP and ask them for an appointment. They could refer you to a mental health service to conduct an ADHD specialist assessment.

The ELFT's Quality Improvement team (QI) worked with the City and Hackney ADHD teams to improve the speed and accuracy of their assessment process. The result was that the average waiting time from referral to feedback on assessment 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 by medication, behavioural therapy or education. Children and parents may find it difficult to comprehend however, there are plenty of resources available. Speak with your GP If you or your child is showing symptoms of ADHD. They may refer you to an expert CAMHS team who will examine your child and determine if they are suffering from ADHD.

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 knows the child well to provide feedback. The team will employ standard assessment methods and detailed history taking to determine the child's needs. They will also send Conners questionnaires to the child, the parent(s) or guardian(s) and a teacher who knows the child well.

The CAMHS team will then decide whether your child needs additional tests and refer them to a clinical psychologist. The psychologist will use different tests to assess how your child handles emotions and behaves in various situations. They will assess how your child behaves at home, at school as well as in public areas.

During the examination the doctor will speak to you and your child about what they've discovered. They will then formulate an assessment and discuss options for treatment with you. Medication is often used to aid people suffering from ADHD, but this does not eliminate all their symptoms.

Rotherham CAMHS is divided into multiple pathways. The 'ADHD assessment pathway' falls within the Neurodevelopmental Assessment pathway. Certain children and adolescents will be evaluated for ADHD through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS path. This is because they have a higher level of cognitive ability and their difficulties are more complex than the other children and young people who use CAMHS. This pathway is further explained on the "ID the CAMHS" page on this site.

Treatment

The NHS offers specialist help to children and adolescents suffering from ADHD via a local service. This could be psychologists or psychiatrists, or even a nurse. They will ask you to explain your symptoms and how they affect your life. They may also speak to your teachers, parents or other carers. They might decide to prescribe medication or suggest alternative treatments. The NHS website offers information about treatments and what you can expect.

A recent report2 focused on the issue of long waiting times for CAMHS services. Even with the best care, waiting times for ADHD assessments can be very long. National guidelines3 and local plans for transformation4 emphasize the importance of early detection and assessment of children and adolescents with ADHD. However there are no specific guidelines regarding how long they should wait.

This project was designed to speed up the time for the ADHD assessment. This was accomplished by using a simple tool for data collection and embedding it in the clinical system. The average time between the date the referral was made to the date the ADHD assessment feedback was provided has been decreased. The QI team would like to express our gratitude to the City and Hackney CAMHS ADHD team for their dedication and hard work during this project.

If a medication is prescribed, your doctor will discuss the options available with you and your family members. There are a variety of medications that can be used to treat ADHD however they all have distinct negative effects. It is crucial to know what to expect when you begin any treatment.

In addition to medication in addition, there are a range of non-pharmacological interventions that can be used to improve the symptoms of ADHD. These include parenting programs, behaviour therapy and psychological therapies. Group or individual sessions are available. Apps that help with organisation and planning may be beneficial for those with ADHD.

getting an assessment for adhd included 12 participants who were recently referred to the CAMHS ADHD route within the local Trust. Interviews were semi-structured and were conducted over the phone. Participants were recruited using a purposeful sample technique. This method was chosen as it is considered to be more ethical than the randomised controlled trial approach that would normally be used in a research study.

Support

A diagnosis of ADHD can be distressing for parents and young people because the signs can be misinterpreted and seen as bad behaviour. Mental health services, as along with charities and organizations can provide assistance. It is crucial that families are aware of what to expect from the assessment process. CAMHS has produced guidelines on this and this is available in the links below.

CAMHS also provide a range of different treatments for ADHD which include medication and lifestyle changes. It is important to select the right medication for your child, as each person responds differently to different medications. A CAMHS assessment will include discussions with a physician or nurse and can involve a range of tests, including brain scans and blood tests which help to determine possible causes of the symptoms.

The City and Hackney ADHD team recently completed a quality improvement project to reduce wait times and improve user satisfaction. The team conducted a series of meetings with service users throughout the assessment process and identified the main themes that informed the improvement of the assessment process. For instance, they thought that the assessment was too long, and there was not enough support on providing postassessment support. In addition they would like see more targeted support for families and children who are diagnosed with ADHD.

Following the QI project, wait time from referral to ADHD assessment have been reduced substantially. This is in line with trust-level targets and reflects the focus on enhancing efficiency and capacity across the CAMHS system. The team used an approach to change and Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles to create positive change within the ADHD process.

A diagnosis of ADHD can be beneficial in getting an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for your child. The EHCP allows schools to provide additional support for your child with regards to training and medication. Our CAMHS ADHD clinic will provide assistance and support to children with ADHD.