CAMHS ADHD Assessment
If your child or teen has difficulties they may be sent to CAMHS for an ADHD assessment. 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 highlighted positives around remote appointments but also that face-to–face appointments would be preferred during assessments.
Signs and symptoms
If you suffer from ADHD, your child or teen may struggle to remain focused, forgetting things, having difficulty falling asleep, and getting easily distracted by external stimuli. They may also struggle to keep up with the demands of tasks or activities at home or in school or at home, struggle to comprehend information and are unable to follow directions. They might often lose their possessions, experience difficulties completing assignments or homework and may miss appointments. If they're not careful, they might hurt themselves or others. They might have difficulties in relationships, and find it hard to find an employment or job, and have difficulty making friends with their family.
A few children and young people with ADHD are also impulsive. They might be impulsive, fidget, or struggle to wait for their turn. They may not listen to others and are more likely to engage in risky behaviors like using drugs or engaging in sexual activity that is dangerous. Some adults with ADHD suffer from emotional issues and can easily become irritable or even angry. They may also be sensitive to criticism or feel that other people are criticising them.
The symptoms of ADHD can differ from person to person and may change with age. They can affect people of any age, gender, or background. ADHD can be treated by medication. However, it is crucial to know that medication does not eliminate all the symptoms of the disorder, and may cause adverse side adverse effects.
An assessment of the camhs adhd is the first step in receiving assistance for ADHD. This is typically done by asking your GP to make an appointment. They could refer you to a mental health service for an ADHD specialist assessment.
ELFT's Quality Improvement team (QI) worked with the City and Hackney ADHD teams to improve the timeliness and accuracy of their assessment process. In the end, the average wait time from referral to feedback on assessment was reduced to less than 12 weeks. This is in line with the trust's target.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a medical condition which can be treated through medications, behavioral therapy, or education. It can be a challenge for parents and children to understand the disorder however there is a lot of support available. If you believe 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 evaluate and diagnose your child.
If your child is being referred to a CAMHS ADHD assessment service, they typically will be viewed by one or two members of the team. They will also seek out the caregivers or parents of the child and a teacher who knows them well for feedback. The team will employ standardised assessments as well as detailed histories to assess your child's difficulties. They will also send out Conners questionnaires to the child as well as their parent(s) or guardian(s) as well as an educator who knows the child well to complete prior the assessment appointment.
The CAMHS team will then determine that your child needs further tests and they will refer them to a clinical psychologist. The psychologist will employ different tests to assess how your child handles their emotions and behaviour in different situations. They will assess the ways your child behaves in a variety of settings, including the home, school and public spaces.
During the examination your doctor will discuss with you and your child what they have discovered. The doctor will then make a diagnosis, and then discuss treatment options with you. It is common to use medication to treat people suffering from ADHD however it will not remove all of the symptoms.
Rotherham CAMHS is divided into multiple pathways, and the 'ADHD Assessment pathway' falls under the Neurodevelopmental assessment pathway. However, some children and young people receive their ADHD evaluation through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS pathway. This is because their cognitive abilities are greater and their challenges more complex than those of other children and adolescents who use CAMHS. The 'ID CAMHS' section on this website has more details about this route.
Treatment
The NHS provides specialized help for children and adolescents with ADHD through an in-person service within your region. This could include a psychiatrist, psychologist or a nurse. They may ask you to describe your symptoms and how they impact your life. They may also ask your parents, teachers or other caregivers. They may decide to prescribe medication or suggest alternative treatments. The NHS website has information about treatments and what to expect.
A recent report2 identified the issue of lengthy waiting times for CAMHS services. Waiting times for the assessment of ADHD are particularly high, even with high-quality care. National guidelines3 and local plans for transformation4 stress the importance of early identification and assessment of adolescents and children with ADHD. However there are no specific guidelines for how long they should wait.
This quality improvement (QI) project was developed to reduce waiting times for the ADHD assessment process. This was accomplished by using an easy data collection tool and embedding it in the clinical system. The average time between the time the referral was made and the time 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 has been prescribed, the specialists discuss the options available to you and your family members. There are a variety of medications which can treat ADHD. However they all have distinct effects. It is important that you understand what to expect from any treatment.
There are a variety of non-pharmacological therapies that can help to improve ADHD symptoms. These include parenting programmes, behaviour therapy and psychological treatments. Sessions for groups or individuals are available. Apps that help with planning and organization could be beneficial for those with ADHD.
The project involved twelve people who were recently referred to the CAMHS ADHD path within the local Trust. The interviews were semi-structured, and were conducted over the phone. Participants were contacted through a targeted sample method. This was chosen because it is considered to be more ethical than a randomised controlled study that is normally used in a research study.
Support
A diagnosis of ADHD can be a source of stress for parents and children as the signs and symptoms can be misinterpreted and seen as bad behaviour. There are a lot of resources available from mental health services, as well as organisations and charities that can aid. It is essential that families are aware of what to expect from the assessment process. CAMHS have provided guidance on this and this can be found in the links below.
CAMHS also offer a number of different treatments for ADHD, including lifestyle and medication. But it is crucial to ensure that the appropriate treatment is selected for your child, as different people respond differently to medication. A CAMHS assessment may include discussions with a doctor or nurse and can involve a variety of tests such as brain scans and blood tests.
The City and Hackney ADHD team recently implemented an improvement in quality to reduce waiting times and improve service satisfaction of users. The team conducted a survey of 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 there was not enough support on providing postassessment support. In addition they would like to get more specific assistance for families and children who have been diagnosed with ADHD.
As a result of the QI project, wait times from initial referral to ADHD assessment have been reduced dramatically. This is in line with goals of trust and reflects an emphasis on enhancing efficiency and capabilities across the CAMHS System. why are adhd assessments so expensive utilized a model for change and Plan-Do-Study Act cycles to drive positive change within the ADHD pathway.
A diagnosis of ADHD can also be helpful in getting an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for your child. The EHCP will permit your school to put in place additional assistance for your child, such as medication or training courses. Our CAMHS ADHD clinic will offer support and guidance to children who suffer from ADHD.