CAMHS ADHD Assessment
If your child or young person is struggling, they could be directed to CAMHS for 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 highlighted the positives of remote appointments, but also that face-toface appointments would be preferable during assessments.
Symptoms
If a child or a young person you know has ADHD they may have trouble sitting still and forgetting things, have trouble falling asleep, and are easily distracted by extraneous stimuli. They may also be unable to keep up with tasks or activities at school or home or at home, struggle to comprehend information, and find it hard to follow directions. They might lose things or have difficulty completing assignments or homework and have trouble keeping appointments. If they're not careful, they might hurt themselves or others. They could have a difficult time in relationships, find it difficult to find work or a job and might find it difficult to be a good friend to their family members.
Some kids and teens with ADHD are hyperactive. They may be impulsive, fidget, or struggle to wait their turn. They may not pay attention to what others say and could be more inclined to take risks, such as using drugs or engaging in dangerous sexual activities. Certain people with ADHD suffer from emotional issues and can easily become irritable or frustrated. They might also be overly sensitive to criticism or feel that others are criticising them.
The symptoms of ADHD are different for every person and they change as people get older. They can affect anyone of any age, gender, or background. ADHD can be treated by medication. It is important to realize that medication is not able to eliminate all symptoms of the disorder and can have side effects.
The first step in seeking help for ADHD is to get an assessment for ADHD with a camhs. The most commonly used method to get this done is to go to your GP and request an appointment. They may refer you to a mental clinic to conduct an ADHD specialist assessment.
The ELFT's Quality Improvement (QI) team collaborated with the City and Hackney ADHD team to improve the timeliness 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 line with the trust's target.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a medical condition and can be treated with medication, behavioural therapy or education. It isn't easy for parents and children to comprehend the condition however there is a lot of help available. Speak with your GP when you or your child is showing symptoms of ADHD. They may refer you to an expert CAMHS team that will evaluate your child and determine if they are suffering from ADHD.
If your child has been recommended to CAMHS ADHD Assessment Service you will be visited by at least one person from the team. They will also seek out the caregivers or parents of the child, as well as a teacher who knows them well for feedback. The team will use standardised assessments and detailed histories to determine 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 well.
The CAMHS team will then determine that your child needs further tests and they 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 in various situations. They will assess the behavior of your child in a variety of settings, including home, school and public places.
During the evaluation, your clinician will discuss with you and your child what they have discovered. The clinician will make a diagnosis, and then discuss treatment options with you. Medication is often used to treat people suffering from ADHD however it will not remove all of the symptoms.
Rotherham CAMHS is divided into different pathways and the "ADHD Assessment pathway" falls under the Neurodevelopmental assessment pathway. Some children and adolescents will be evaluated for ADHD through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS pathway. This is because their cognitive capabilities are higher and their challenges more complex than those of other children and teens who use CAMHS. This process is described in more detail on the 'ID of CAMHS" page on this site.
Treatment
The NHS provides specialized assistance to children and adolescents suffering from ADHD through a local support service. This could include a psychiatrist, a psychologist or nurses. They may ask you to explain your symptoms and how they impact your life. They could also speak with your teachers, parents, or other caregivers. They may decide to treat you with medicine or suggest alternative treatment options 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. The waiting times for evaluation of ADHD are particularly long, even with high-quality care. Local plans for transformation4 and national guidelines3 for transformation4 emphasize the importance of early identification and evaluation of children and adolescents suffering from ADHD. However there aren't any explicit guidelines for how long they should wait.
This quality improvement (QI) project was designed to reduce waiting times for the ADHD assessment process. This was accomplished by using a simple data collection tool and embedding it in the clinical system. The average number of weeks between the date the referral was made and the time the ADHD assessment feedback was given has been reduced. The QI team would like to thank City and Hackney CAMHS ADHD for their commitment and hard work throughout the course of this project.
If the medication is prescribed by a specialist, they will discuss the options with you and your family. There are a variety of medications which can treat ADHD. However they all have different adverse effects. It is important that you understand what to expect from any treatment.
There are many non-pharmacological treatment options that can aid in the reduction of ADHD symptoms. These include parenting programs as well as behaviour therapy and psychological therapies. They can be offered individually or in groups. A person who suffers from ADHD might also find it helpful to use organisation and planning apps.
The project included 12 participants who had been recently been referred to the CAMHS ADHD pathway in a local Trust. The interviews were semi-structured and were conducted over the phone. Participants were recruited by using a deliberate sample technique. This method was chosen because it is considered more ethical than the randomised controlled trial method which is typically employed in research studies.
Support
The diagnosis of ADHD can be a stressful experience for parents and children alike, since the signs are often misunderstood or viewed as bad behavior. Mental health services, as along with charitable and non-profit organizations can provide assistance. It is essential that families know what to expect from the assessment process. CAMHS have produced guidance on this, and it can be found in the links below.
CAMHS offers a variety of treatments for ADHD including medication and lifestyle changes. It is essential that the right treatment is chosen for your child's needs, as different people respond differently to medication. A CAMHS assessment will involve discussions with a nurse or doctor and may involve a variety of tests, including brain scans and blood tests that can help determine possible causes for the symptoms.
The City and Hackney ADHD team recently launched an improvement project in quality to cut waiting times and increase user satisfaction. The team consulted service users during the assessment process, and identified key themes which helped inform improvements to the path. Service users, for instance they felt that the assessment was too lengthy and they felt that there was not enough support after the assessment. They would also like to see more targeted help for families and children who have been diagnosed with ADHD.
After the QI project was implemented and implemented, the wait times between initial referral and ADHD assessment significantly decreased. This is in line with the trust-level goals and reflects the emphasis on enhancing efficiency and capacity across the CAMHS system. The team used a model for change and Plan-Do-Study -Act cycles to drive positive change within the ADHD pathway.
A diagnosis of ADHD may also help you get an Education, Health and Care Plan for your child. The EHCP allows schools to provide additional support for your children including medication and training courses. The school can also contact our CAMHS ADHD clinic for advice and support sessions for children who have received an ADHD diagnosis.