CAMHS ADHD Assessment
If your child or adolescent is experiencing difficulty, they may be referred for 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.
Parents and caregivers who were interviewed in response COVID-19 have highlighted the advantages of remote appointments, but also suggested that face-to-face appointments are preferred for assessments.
Signs and symptoms
If a child or a young person you know has ADHD, they might struggle to remain focused and forgetting things, have difficulty falling asleep and be easily distracted by distractions. They may also have trouble managing their tasks and activities at home or at school, struggling to understand information and have trouble to follow instructions. They might lose things and have trouble finishing assignments or homework and miss appointments. They may end up hurting themselves or others if they are not careful. They might have a hard relationship, and have trouble finding jobs or work, and might find it difficult to be a good friend to their family members.
Many children and young adults with ADHD are also in a state of being impulsive. They might be impulsive, fidget, or struggle to wait for 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. Many people with ADHD also have issues with their emotions and can become angry, frustrated, or angry easily. They might also be overly sensitive to criticism or feel that others are criticising them.
The symptoms of ADHD are different from person to person and may change with age. They can affect anyone regardless of gender, ethnicity or background. ADHD is why are adhd assessments so expensive that can be treated by medication. But it is important to be aware that medication does not eliminate all the symptoms of the disorder and can cause side adverse effects.
The first step to getting assistance for ADHD is to seek an assessment for ADHD with a camhs. The most popular method to do this is to visit your GP and request an appointment. They can recommend you to a mental health service for an ADHD specialist assessment.
ELFT's Quality Improvement team (QI) worked with City and Hackney ADHD teams to improve the timeliness and accuracy of their assessment process. The average wait time between assessment and referral was reduced from 12 weeks to less than 12. This is in line the trust's goals.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a medical disorder that can be treated by medications, behavioral therapy, or education. It can be difficult for children and parents to understand the disorder however there is a lot of support available. Speak with your GP when you or your child exhibits symptoms of ADHD. They can refer you to a specialist CAMHS who will examine and determine if your child is suffering from ADHD.
If your child is referred to an CAMHS ADHD assessment service, they will usually be seen by one or two members of the team. They will also request feedback from the child and their parent(s) or carer(s), and the teacher who is familiar with them. The team will employ standardised assessments as well as detailed histories to assess your child's needs. They will also send Conners questionnaires to the child as well as the parent(s) or guardian(s) and an educator who knows the young person very well.
The CAMHS team will then decide if your child requires further testing and refer them an experienced psychologist. The psychologist will employ various tests to determine how your child manages their emotions and behaviour in different situations. They will look at the way your child behaves in a range of different environments, including at the home, school and public places.
During the evaluation, your clinician will discuss with you and your child what they have discovered. The doctor will then make an assessment and discuss treatment options with you. The use of medication is frequently used to help people with ADHD however, it is not enough to eliminate all their symptoms.
Rotherham CAMHS is divided into different pathways, and the "ADHD Assessment pathway" is part of the Neurodevelopmental assessment pathway. Some children and adolescents are assessed for ADHD through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS path. This is because their cognitive abilities are higher and their challenges more complex than the other children and youth who use CAMHS. This process is explained in greater detail on the 'ID of CAMHS" page of this website.
Treatment
The NHS provides specialized help for children and young people suffering from ADHD through a local service in your region. This could be a psychiatrist or psychologist or even nurses. You will be asked to write about your symptoms, and how they affect your life. They may also speak to your parents, teachers, or other caregivers. They could decide to treat you with medication or suggest other treatment options instead. The NHS website offers information about treatments and what you can expect.
Recent reports have highlighted the issue of long wait times for CAMHS services. Waiting times for the evaluation of ADHD are particularly high, even with high-quality care. While national guidelines3 as well as local transformation plans4 emphasise the importance of early detection of children and young adults with ADHD and a guideline for assessment has been provided but there is no specific guidance on the length of time a child or young person should wait to be seen.
This project was developed to reduce the waiting time for the ADHD assessment. This was accomplished by using a simple data collection tool and integrating it into the clinical system. The average time between the date the referral was made and the time the ADHD assessment feedback was given has been decreased. The QI team would like to express our gratitude to the City and the Hackney CAMHS ADHD team for their commitment and hard work throughout this project.
If the medication is prescribed the doctor will discuss the options with you and your family. There are many medications that can be used to treat ADHD however they all have different side effects. It is important that you understand what to expect from any treatment.
There are many non-pharmacological treatment options that can help to improve ADHD symptoms. These include parenting programmes as well as behaviour therapy and psychological treatments. Group or individual sessions are available. For those who suffers from ADHD may also find it beneficial to use software for organisation and planning.
The project involved 12 participants who were recently referred to the CAMHS ADHD route within the local Trust. The interviews were semi-structured, and they took place via telephone. Participants were recruited by using a deliberate sample technique. This technique was chosen because it is considered to be more ethical than the randomised controlled trial method that is normally used in a research study.
Support
The diagnosis of ADHD is often distressing for parents and children alike, since the signs are often misunderstood or viewed as bad behavior. Mental health services as well as charities and organisations can provide assistance. 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 is available by clicking on the links below.
CAMHS offers a variety of treatments for ADHD including medication and lifestyle changes. It is important to select the right medication for your child as everyone responds differently to medications. A CAMHS evaluation may involve discussions with a doctor or nurse and may involve a range of tests, including brain scans and blood tests.
The City and Hackney ADHD Team recently completed a project to improve service quality and cut waiting time. The team spoke with service users during the assessment process and identified the most important themes that led to improvements to the process. Service users, for example they felt that the assessment was too lengthy and they felt that there was not enough post-assessment support. Additionally they would like get more specific support for children and families who have been diagnosed with ADHD.
After the QI project was completed and implemented, the wait times between initial referral and ADHD assessment were significantly reduced. This is in line with trust-level targets, and reflects a focus on improving efficiency and capabilities across the CAMHS System. The team employed an approach to change and Plan-Do-Study Act cycles to effect positive changes 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 assistance for your children with regards to medication and training courses. Our CAMHS ADHD clinic will provide support and advice to children with ADHD.