CAMHS ADHD Assessment
If your child or adolescent has difficulties, they could be recommended to undergo an ADHD assessment to CAMHS. 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 positives around remote appointments but also that face-to–face appointments would be preferred during assessments.
Signs and symptoms
If a child or young person you know has ADHD, they might struggle to remain focused or forgetting things, experience trouble falling asleep, and are easily distracted by distractions. They may also be unable to keep up with tasks or activities at school or home or at home, struggle to comprehend information and are unable to follow directions. They might lose things, have trouble completing homework or assignments and may have trouble keeping appointments. If they are not careful, they could harm themselves or others. They could have a difficult relationship, have trouble finding work or a job and might find it difficult to be a good friend to their family members.
Many children and young adults with ADHD are also hyperactive. They may fidget, tap their fingers or struggle to wait their turn. They may not be able to hear the opinions of others and could be more likely to take risks like using drugs or engaging in dangerous sexual activities. Some adults suffering from ADHD also have issues with their emotions and can be angry, frustrated or angry quickly. They may also be extremely sensitive or feel that others are judging them.
published here of ADHD can vary from individual to individual and can change as you get older. They can affect anyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity or background. ADHD is treatable with medication. But it is important to be aware that medication doesn't remove all the symptoms of the disorder, and may cause adverse side negative effects.
An assessment of the camhs adhd is the first step in getting assistance for ADHD. The most common way to do this is to visit your GP and request an appointment. They may recommend you to a mental health professional for a specialist ADHD assessment.
The ELFT's Quality Improvement team (QI) worked with 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 from the assessment was reduced to less than 12 weeks. This is in line with the trust's goal.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a medical condition and can be treated with medications, behavioural therapy, or education. It can be difficult for parents and children to comprehend the condition however there is plenty of help available. Talk to your GP if you or your child is showing symptoms of ADHD. They can refer you to an expert CAMHS team who will examine your child and diagnose them.
If your child was recommended 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 the caregivers or parents of the child, and a teacher who is familiar with them well for feedback. The team will utilize standardised assessments and detailed histories to evaluate your child's needs. They will also provide Conners questionnaires for the child as well as their parent(s) or guardian(s) as well as a teacher that is familiar with the child to complete before the assessment appointment.
The CAMHS team will then decide whether your child needs further testing and refer them to an experienced psychologist. The psychologist will conduct a variety of tests to determine how your child manages emotions and behaves in different situations. They will assess how your child behaves at home, at school, and in public places.
During the assessment the clinician will talk to you and your child about what they have found out. The clinician will issue an assessment and discuss possible treatment options with you. Medication is often used to treat people suffering from ADHD, but this does not eliminate all their symptoms.
Rotherham CAMHS is divided into multiple pathways, and the "ADHD Assessment pathway" is part of the Neurodevelopmental assessment pathway. However, certain youngsters and children will have their ADHD assessment through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS pathway. This is due to their cognitive capabilities are higher and their issues more complex than those of other children and teens who utilize CAMHS. This pathway is further explained on the "ID of CAMHS" page on this website.
Treatment
The NHS offers specialist help to children and adolescents with ADHD via a local service. This could include a psychiatrist, psychologist or nurses. They'll ask you to explain your symptoms and how they impact your life. They could also speak with your teachers, parents, or other caregivers. They could decide to treat you with medication or suggest alternative treatment options instead. The NHS website provides information on treatments and what you can expect.
Recent reports2 have exposed the issue of long wait times for CAMHS services. Waiting times for the assessment of ADHD are particularly long even with high-quality care. While national guidelines3 and local transformation plans4 emphasize the importance of early identification of children and young adults with ADHD and guidelines on assessment has been provided, there is no explicit guidance on how long an individual child or young adult should wait to see a doctor.
This quality improvement (QI) project was created to speed up the ADHD assessment process. This was achieved through the use of a simple tool for data collection and embedding it in the clinical system. The average time between the time the referral was made to 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 dedication and hard work throughout the project.
If a medication is prescribed, your doctor will discuss the options available with you and your family members. There are many medicines that can be utilized to treat ADHD, but they all have different negative effects. It is important that you be aware of the potential side effects of any treatment.
In addition to medications, there are a variety of non-pharmacological treatments that can improve the symptoms of ADHD. These can include parenting programs, and behavior therapy. Individual or group sessions are available. Apps that aid in organizing and planning could be helpful for someone with ADHD.
The project involved twelve participants who had been referred recently to the CAMHS ADHD pathway within the local Trust. Interviews were semi-structured and took place over the phone. Participants were selected through a targeted sample method. This method was chosen because it is considered to be more ethical than a controlled trial that is randomised that is normally employed in research studies.
Support
The diagnosis of ADHD can be a stressful experience for both parents and children as the symptoms are often misinterpreted or viewed as unacceptable behavior. Mental health services as along with charities and organizations can offer support. It's important that families have a clear idea of what to expect during the process of assessment. CAMHS have produced guidance on this subject and it can be found in the links below.
CAMHS offers a variety of treatments for ADHD including medications and lifestyle modifications. However, it is vital that the right treatment is chosen for your child, as different people respond differently to medications. A CAMHS assessment will include discussions with a physician or nurse and can involve a range of tests, like blood tests and brain scans that can help determine possible causes for the symptoms.
The City and Hackney ADHD team recently launched an improvement project in quality to cut down on waiting times and increase satisfaction of users. The team conducted a series of meetings with service users throughout the assessment process and they identified the main issues that influenced the design of the process. For example, service users felt that the length of the assessment was too long and there was not enough support on providing postassessment support. They also would like to see more targeted help for families and children who are diagnosed with ADHD.
After the QI project was launched and implemented, the wait 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 used the model of change and Plan-Do–Study–Act cycles to effect positive changes in the ADHD process.
A diagnosis of ADHD can also help you obtain an Education, Health and Care Plan for your child. The EHCP will allow your school to implement additional support for your child, for example training or medication. Our CAMHS ADHD clinic can provide assistance and support to children with ADHD.