CAMHS ADHD Assessment
If your child or teen is struggling, they could be referred 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.
In response to COVID-19 interview responses from parents/caregivers pointed out the positives of remote appointments but also that face-to-face appointments would be preferred during assessments.
Symptoms
If a child or young person you know is suffering from ADHD, they might be unable to sit still and forgetting things, have difficulty falling asleep and be easily distracted by other stimuli. They might also have difficulty managing their tasks and activities at home or at school, struggling to comprehend information and have trouble to follow instructions. They might lose items or have difficulty completing homework or assignments and may miss appointments. If they are not careful, they might harm themselves or others. They could have a difficult relationship, and struggle to find work or a job and may find it difficult to be a good friend to their family members.
Some children and adolescents with ADHD are hyperactive. They might fidget or tap their fingers, struggle to get their turn in activities or be in a state of constant conversation. They may not pay attention to the opinions of others and are more likely to take risks like drinking or engaging in risky sexual activity. Certain adults with ADHD have emotional problems and can easily become angry or angry. They may also be extremely sensitive or feel like others are judging them.
The symptoms of ADHD are different from individual to individual and can change as you get older. They can affect people of any gender, ethnicity or background. ADHD can be treated by medication. It is important to know that medication is not able to completely eliminate the symptoms of the disorder, and can have side effects.
A camhs adhd assessment is the first step to receiving assistance for ADHD. It is usually performed by asking your GP for an appointment. They may recommend you to a mental health service to conduct 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. The average time between assessment and referral was reduced from 12 weeks to less than 12. This is in line with the trust's goal.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a medical issue which can be treated through treatment with medication, behavioral therapy or education. Children and parents may find it difficult to comprehend but there are many resources available. If you believe that you or your child has symptoms of ADHD consult an GP. They may refer you to a specialist CAMHS team that will evaluate your child and determine if they are suffering from ADHD.
If your child is directed to a CAMHS ADHD assessment service they are usually seen by a member or two of the team. They will also solicit the caregivers or parents of the child and a teacher who is familiar with them well for feedback. The team will use standardised assessment methods and detailed history taking to evaluate your child's difficulties. They will also send Conners questionnaires to the child or the parent(s), or guardian(s), as well as a teacher who knows the young person very well.
The CAMHS team will then decide whether your child needs additional tests and refer them to an experienced psychologist. The psychologist will conduct a variety of tests to assess how your child handles emotions and behaves in various situations. They will examine how your child behaves at home, at school as well as in public areas.
During the assessment the clinician will speak to you and your child about what they have found out. They will then make an assessment and discuss options for treatment with you. People suffering from ADHD are usually treated with medication, however it does not eliminate all symptoms.
Rotherham CAMHS is divided into different pathways and the 'ADHD Assessment pathway' is part of the Neurodevelopmental assessment pathway. However, certain children and young people will receive their ADHD assessment done through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS pathway. This is due to their cognitive abilities are higher and their difficulties more complicated than other children and youth who utilize CAMHS. This process is further explained on the "ID the CAMHS" page of this website.
Treatment
The NHS offers specialized assistance for children and young people suffering from ADHD through an in-person service within your area. This might include a psychiatrist, a psychologist or a nurse. You'll be asked to explain your symptoms and how they impact your life. They may also ask your teachers, parents or other carers. They might decide to treat you with medication or suggest other treatments instead. The NHS website provides information on treatments and what you can expect.
Recent reports2 have highlighted the issue of long wait times for CAMHS services. Even with the best services waiting times for ADHD assessments are very long. While national guidelines3 and local transformation plans4 emphasise the need for early identification of children and young people with ADHD, and guidance on assessment has been produced but there is no specific guidelines on the length of time the child or young person should wait before being seen.
This quality improvement (QI) project was designed to speed up the ADHD assessment process. This was achieved using an easy instrument for data collection and integrating it into the clinical system. how to get an adhd assessment has enabled the average amount of time from the date of referral until the date of the ADHD assessment feedback to be lowered. 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, the specialists discuss the options available to you and your family members. There are a variety of medications which can treat ADHD. However they all have distinct effects. It is important to know what to expect before you begin any treatment.
There are many non-pharmacological treatments that can help to improve ADHD symptoms. These include parenting programmes as well as behaviour therapy and psychological therapies. They can be offered individually or in groups. Apps that aid in organisation and planning may be beneficial to someone suffering from ADHD.
The project included 12 participants who were recently referred to the CAMHS ADHD pathway in a local Trust. The interviews were semi-structured and were conducted over the telephone. Participants were recruited using a deliberate sampling method. This was chosen because it is considered to be more ethical than a randomised controlled trial that is normally used in a research study.
Support
A diagnosis of ADHD can be a source of stress for parents and young people because the signs can be misunderstood and viewed as bad behaviour. However, there are lots of resources available from mental health professionals, as well as organisations and charities that can help. It is crucial that families are aware of what to expect during the process of assessment. CAMHS has produced guidelines on this, and it can be found in the links below.
CAMHS offers a variety of treatments for ADHD including medication and lifestyle modifications. But it is crucial to ensure that the appropriate treatment is chosen for your child, since different people react differently to medications. A CAMHS evaluation may involve 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 completed an improvement in quality to reduce waiting times and increase satisfaction of users. The team consulted service users during the assessment process, and identified the key issues that helped inform improvements to the path. For instance, service users they felt that the assessment was too long and they did not receive enough post-assessment assistance. They also want to see more targeted help for children and their families who are diagnosed with ADHD.
After the QI project was completed, waiting times between initial referral and ADHD evaluation were drastically reduced. This is in line with trust-level targets, and reflects the importance of improving efficiency and capability across the CAMHS System. The team used the model of change and Plan-Do–Study–Act cycles to drive positive changes in the ADHD process.
A diagnosis of ADHD could also assist you to obtain an Education, Health and Care Plan for your child. The EHCP allows schools to provide additional support for your children, such as medication and training courses. Our CAMHS ADHD clinic can offer support and guidance to children with ADHD.