Notes

5 Myths About ADHD Assessment That You Should Avoid
CAMHS ADHD Assessment

If your child or adolescent is experiencing difficulty, they may be referred to undergo an ADHD evaluation 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 parents and caregivers' responses to interviews pointed out the positives 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 might struggle to remain focused or concentrating, snagging things, having trouble falling asleep, and is easily distracted by external stimuli. They may also be unable to keep up with tasks or activities at home or at school or at home, struggle to comprehend information and are unable to follow instructions. They might often lose their possessions, have difficulties completing assignments or homework and miss appointments. If they're not careful, they might cause harm to themselves or others. They might have a hard relationship, have trouble finding work or a job, and may have difficulty to connect with their family members.

Some children and adolescents with ADHD are highly impulsive. They might fidget or tap their fingers, try to be the first to turn in activities or be unable to stop talking. They might not be able to listen to others and are more likely to engage in risky behaviors like taking drugs or engaging in sexual activity that is dangerous. Certain people with ADHD have issues with their emotions and can easily become angry or angry. They may also be extremely sensitive or feel like others are criticizing them.

The symptoms of ADHD can differ from person to person and may change with age. They can affect anyone regardless of gender, ethnicity or background. ADHD is treatable with medication. It is important to know that medication does not eliminate all symptoms of the disorder and it can cause side effects.

The first step towards receiving assistance for ADHD is to get an assessment for ADHD with a camhs. It is typically done by asking your GP to make an appointment. They may refer you to a mental health clinic for a specialized ADHD assessment.

ELFT's Quality Improvement (QI) team worked with the City and Hackney ADHD team to improve the timeliness of their assessment process. The average waiting time between referral and feedback on assessment was reduced from 12 weeks to less than 12. This is in line with the trust's mission.

Diagnosis

ADHD is a medical condition and can be treated through medication, behavioural therapy or education. It isn't easy for parents and children to understand 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 a specialist CAMHS team who will assess your child and determine if they are suffering from ADHD.

If your child has been referred to CAMHS ADHD Assessment Service, they will be seen by at least one of the team members. They will also ask the caregivers or parents of the child and a teacher who is familiar with the child well to provide feedback. The team will use standardised assessment techniques and detailed history taking to assess your child's challenges. They will also send out Conners questionnaires for the child and their parent(s) or guardian(s) and a teacher that knows the child well to complete prior to the assessment appointment.

The CAMHS team will then decide if your child requires further testing and refer them a clinical psychologist. The psychologist will use different tests to determine how your child manages emotions and behaves under various situations. They will examine how your child behaves at home, at school as well as in public areas.

During the evaluation your doctor will discuss with you and your child what they've discovered. The doctor will then make an assessment, and then discuss possible treatment options with you. People suffering from ADHD are usually treated with medication, but it is not a cure for all symptoms.

Rotherham CAMHS is divided into different pathways and the "ADHD assessment pathway" falls within the Neurodevelopmental Assessment pathway. Some children and adolescents will be assessed for ADHD through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS pathway. This is due to the fact that they have an elevated cognitive capability and their issues are more complex than the other children and young people who use CAMHS. This process is described in more detail on the "ID CAMHS" page of this website.

Treatment

The NHS provides specialist help for children and adolescents with ADHD through an in-person service within your area. This could include psychologists, psychiatrists, or even nurses. You will be asked to write about your symptoms and how they impact your life. They may also speak to your parents, teachers, or other caregivers. They may decide to treat you with a medication or suggest other treatment options instead. The NHS website contains information on treatments and what you can expect.

A recent report2 identified the issue of lengthy waiting times for CAMHS services. Even with top-quality treatment waiting times for ADHD assessments are extremely long. While national guidelines3 and local transformation plans4 stress the importance of early detection of children and young adults with ADHD and guidelines on assessment has been produced but there is no specific guideline on how long a child or young person should wait to be seen.

This quality improvement (QI) project was created to cut down on waiting times for the ADHD assessment process. This was accomplished through an easy tool for data collection and embedding it into the clinical system. This has allowed the average time from the time of referral to the day 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 doctors discuss the available options with you and your loved ones. There are many medications that can be used to treat ADHD however, they all have distinct adverse effects. It is essential to know what to expect before you start any treatment.

In addition to medication, there are a variety of non-pharmacological treatments that can help improve the symptoms of ADHD. These include psychotherapies, parenting programs, and behavior therapy. They can be provided individually or in groups. For those with ADHD might benefit from using organisation and planning apps.


The project involved 12 participants who were recently been referred to the CAMHS ADHD pathway in the local Trust. Interviews were structured and were conducted over the phone. Participants were selected by using a deliberate sample technique. This method was chosen as it is regarded to be more ethical than the randomised controlled trial method that would normally be employed in research studies.

Support

The diagnosis of ADHD is often distressing for parents and children alike, as the symptoms are often misinterpreted or viewed as unacceptable behavior. However, there is a wealth of services available to help from mental health services, along with organizations and charities that can aid. It is crucial that families understand what to expect from the assessment process. CAMHS has provided guidelines on the subject which can be found by clicking on the links below.

CAMHS also provide a variety of treatments for ADHD, including lifestyle and medication. It is important to select the appropriate medication for your child since everyone responds differently to medications. A CAMHS assessment will include discussions with a physician or nurse and may involve a variety of tests, like 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 reduce waiting times and increase user satisfaction. website link consulted service users during the assessment process and identified the key issues that informed improvements to the pathway. Service users, for instance, felt that the assessment was too lengthy and that there was not enough post-assessment assistance. They also would like to see more specific support for children and their families who are diagnosed with ADHD.

Following the QI project, wait times from initial referral to ADHD evaluation have been reduced substantially. This is in line with the trust-level goals and is a reflection of the focus on increasing efficiency and capacity across the CAMHS system. The team used the change model and Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles to drive positive changes in the ADHD pathway.

A diagnosis of ADHD could also assist in obtaining an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for your child. The EHCP will permit your school to provide additional assistance for your child, such as medication or training courses. The school may also contact our CAMHS ADHD clinic for help and support sessions for children who have been given an ADHD diagnosis.

Homepage: https://www.iampsychiatry.com/private-adhd-assessment