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CAMHS ADHD Assessment

If your child or adolescent experiences difficulties, they could be sent for 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 the benefits of remote appointments, while also stating that face-to-face appointments are preferred during assessments.

Signs and symptoms

If a child or a young person you know is suffering from ADHD they may have trouble sitting still, forget things, have difficulties falling asleep and are easily distracted by other stimuli. They might also have trouble keeping up with tasks and activities at home or at school, struggle to make sense of information and may find it difficult to follow instructions. They might lose items or have difficulty completing assignments or homework and have trouble keeping appointments. They could hurt themselves or others if they are not careful. They may have difficulty with relationships, find it difficult to find a job or work and have a difficult time being a good parent.

Some children and young people with ADHD are also hyperactive. adhd assessment may fidget or tap their fingers, try to wait for their turn in activities or in a state of constant conversation. They may not be able to hear what others say and are more inclined to take risks, such as taking drugs or having dangerous sexual activity. Certain adults with ADHD also have problems with their emotions and can be angry, frustrated or angry easily. They might also be excessively sensitive or feel that other people are criticizing them.

The symptoms of ADHD differ for each person and they can change as a person gets older. They can affect anyone, regardless of race, gender or background. ADHD is an illness that can be treated with medication. But it is important to know that medication does not eliminate all the symptoms of the disorder and could cause adverse side negative effects.

The first step to 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 visit your GP and ask them for an appointment. They could refer you to a mental health service for an ADHD specialist assessment.

The ELFT's Quality Improvement (QI) team worked with City and Hackney ADHD team to speed up their assessment process. The result was that the average time between referral to feedback from the assessment was reduced to less than 12 weeks. This is in accordance with the trust's goals.

Diagnosis

ADHD is a medical issue and can be treated by medication, behavioural therapy or education. Parents and children might find it difficult to comprehend however, there are plenty of resources available. If you suspect that you or your child is suffering from symptoms of ADHD, speak to a GP. They can refer you to a specialist CAMHS who will assess and diagnose your child.

If your child is directed to an CAMHS ADHD assessment service, they typically will be viewed by one or two members of the team. They will also seek feedback from the child, their parent(s) or carer(s) and the teacher who is familiar with them. The team will use standardised assessments and detailed histories to determine your child's difficulties. They will also send Conners questionnaires to the child, the parent(s) or guardian(s) as well as a teacher who knows the child very well.

The CAMHS team will then determine that your child requires further tests and they will refer them to an expert clinical psychologist. The psychologist will conduct different tests to assess how your child manages their emotions and behaviour in various situations. They will assess how your child behaves at home, in school as well as in public areas.

During the evaluation your doctor will discuss with you and your child what they've discovered. The clinician will make a diagnosis, and then discuss possible treatment options with you. The use of medication is frequently used to aid people suffering from ADHD, but this does not eliminate all the symptoms.

Rotherham CAMHS is divided into various pathways and the "ADHD Assessment pathway" is part of the Neurodevelopmental assessment pathway. However, some youngsters and children will have their ADHD assessment through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS pathway. This is due to their cognitive abilities are higher and their challenges more complicated than other children and youth who utilize CAMHS. This path is explained in greater detail on the 'ID of CAMHS" page on this website.

Treatment

The NHS provides specialized help for children and adolescents with ADHD through a local service in your region. This could be psychologists or psychiatrists or even nurses. They may ask you to describe your symptoms and how they impact your life. They could also speak with your teachers, parents, or other caregivers. They might decide to prescribe medication or suggest alternative treatments. The NHS website offers information about treatments and what you can expect.

Recent reports2 have highlighted the issue of long wait times for CAMHS services. Waiting times for the assessment of ADHD are particularly long even when the care is of a high standard. Local plans and guidelines3 as well as national guidelines3 for transformation4 emphasize the importance of early detection and assessment of children and adolescents suffering from ADHD. However, there are no explicit guidelines for how long they should wait.

This project was developed to reduce the waiting time for the ADHD assessment. This was accomplished through a simple tool for data collection and integrating it into the clinical system. The average number of weeks between the date the referral was made to the date the ADHD assessment feedback was provided has been reduced. The QI team would like to also thank City and Hackney CAMHS ADHD for their commitment and dedication throughout the course of this project.

If a medication is prescribed, the specialists discuss the options available with you and your family members. There are a variety of drugs that can be used to treat ADHD however they all have distinct negative effects. It is important that you be aware of the potential side effects of any treatment.


There are many non-pharmacological treatment options that can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. These include psychotherapies, parenting programs and behaviour therapy. Sessions for groups or individuals are available. Apps that aid in organizing and planning could be helpful for someone with ADHD.

The project involved 12 participants who were recently referred to the CAMHS ADHD pathway within the local Trust. Interviews were semi-structured and took place via phone. Participants were contacted using a purposeful sample technique. This method was chosen as it is considered to be more ethical than the randomised controlled trial method that would normally be used in a research study.

Support

The diagnosis of ADHD is often distressing for both parents and children, because the symptoms are often misunderstood or viewed as bad behavior. There are a lot of services available to help from mental health services, as well as organizations and charities that can assist. It is essential that families have a clear idea of what is expected during the assessment process. CAMHS has produced guidelines on this, and it is available in the links below.

CAMHS also provide a variety of different treatments for ADHD which include lifestyle and medication. However, it is vital that the right treatment is chosen for your child, since different people respond differently to different medications. A CAMHS evaluation may involve discussions with a nurse or doctor and may include a variety of tests such as brain scans and blood tests.

The City and Hackney ADHD team recently completed an improvement in quality to cut waiting times and improve service user satisfaction. The team spoke with service users throughout the assessment process and identified the most important themes that informed improvements to the pathway. For instance, some service users felt that the length of the assessment was too long and that there was not enough support to providing postassessment support. In addition, they would like to get more specific support for children and families who have been diagnosed with ADHD.

In the wake of the QI project, wait times between referral and ADHD evaluation have been reduced dramatically. This is in line with trust-level targets and reflects the focus on improving efficiency and capacity across the CAMHS system. The team used an approach to change and Plan-Do-Study Act cycles to create positive change in the ADHD pathway.

A diagnosis of ADHD can be beneficial in getting an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for your child. The EHCP will allow your school to put in place additional support for your child, for example medication or training courses. Our CAMHS ADHD clinic will provide support and advice to children with ADHD.

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