CAMHS ADHD Assessment
If your child or adolescent is experiencing difficulty, they may be sent 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 highlighted positives around remote appointments, while also stating that face-to–face appointments would be preferred during assessments.
Symptoms
If you suffer from ADHD your child or teen might be unable to sit still and forgetting things, having difficulty falling asleep, and being easily distracted by external stimuli. They may also be unable to keep up with tasks or activities at home or at school and have difficulty understanding information, and find it hard to follow directions. They might lose things and have trouble finishing homework or assignments and may fail to attend appointments. If they're not careful, they could harm themselves or others. They might experience difficulties in relationships, find it difficult to get a job or work and have a difficult time making friends with their family.
Some children and adolescents with ADHD are hyperactive. They might fumble or tap their fingers, struggle to be the first to turn in activities or be in a state of constant conversation. They may not pay attention to what others say and are more likely to be risky, such as taking drugs or having dangerous sexual interactions. Some adults suffering from ADHD also have issues with their emotions. They can become irritable, frustrated or angry easily. They may also be overly sensitive or feel like others are criticizing them.
The symptoms of ADHD can differ from individual to individual and can change with age. They can affect people of any race, gender or background. ADHD is a condition that can be treated by medication. But it is important to know that medication doesn't eliminate all the signs of the disorder and can cause adverse side adverse effects.
An assessment of the camhs adhd is the first step to receiving help for ADHD. The most common way to get this done is to go to your GP and request an appointment. They may refer you to a mental health service to conduct a specialist ADHD assessment.
The ELFT's Quality Improvement team (QI) worked with the 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 issue and can be treated by medications, behavioural therapy, or education. Parents and children may find it difficult comprehend however, there are plenty of resources available. If you believe that you or your child is suffering from symptoms of ADHD, speak to a GP. They may 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 recommended to CAMHS ADHD Assessment Service, they will be seen by at least one person from the team. They will also seek feedback from the child and their parent(s) or carer(s) and a teacher that knows them well. The team will employ standard assessment techniques and detailed histories taking to determine your child's difficulties. They will also send Conners questionnaires to the child or the parent(s), or guardian(s), and teachers who know the child very well.
The CAMHS team may then decide that your child requires more tests and send them to a professional clinical psychologist. The psychologist will conduct 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 environments, including at home, school and public spaces.
During the exam the doctor will speak to you and your child about what they have found out. The clinician will issue a diagnosis, and then discuss the options for treatment with you. Medication is often used to aid people suffering from ADHD, but this does not eliminate all their symptoms.
Rotherham CAMHS is divided into multiple pathways. The "ADHD assessment pathway" falls within the Neurodevelopmental Assessment pathway. Some adolescents and children will be evaluated for ADHD through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS path. This is due to the fact that they have more cognitive ability and their difficulties are more complex than the other children and young people who use CAMHS. The 'ID CAMHS' page on this site provides more information about this pathway.
Treatment
The NHS provides specialized help for children and adolescents with ADHD through a local service in your region. This could include a psychiatrist, psychologist or a nurse. I Am Psychiatry will ask you to describe your symptoms and how they impact your life. They may also speak to your parents, teachers, or other caregivers. They might decide to prescribe medicine or suggest alternative treatments. The NHS website has information about treatments and what you can expect.
A recent report2 identified the issue of lengthy waiting times for CAMHS services. Even with the best treatment waiting times for ADHD assessments are very long. National guidelines3 and local plans for transformation4 stress the importance of early identification and evaluation of children and adolescents with ADHD. However there aren't any explicit guidelines regarding how long they should wait.
This project was designed to reduce the waiting time for the ADHD assessment. This was accomplished through an easy instrument for data collection and embedding it into the clinical system. The average time between the date the referral was made and the date the ADHD assessment feedback was provided was reduced. The QI team would also like to thank City and Hackney CAMHS ADHD for their dedication and hardwork throughout this project.
If a medication is prescribed, the specialists discuss the available options with you and your loved ones. There are a variety of medications that can treat ADHD. However they all have different side-effects. It is important to be aware of the potential side effects before you start any treatment.
There are many non-pharmacological treatments that can aid in the reduction of ADHD symptoms. These include parenting programmes as well as behaviour therapy and psychological therapies. They can be offered individually or in groups. Apps that aid in organisation and planning may be helpful for someone with ADHD.
The project included 12 participants who were recently been referred to the CAMHS ADHD pathway within the local Trust. Interviews were semi-structured and were conducted via phone. Participants were contacted using a purposeful sample technique. This method was chosen because it is considered to be more ethical than the randomised controlled trial approach which is typically used for a research study.
Support
The diagnosis of ADHD can be a stressful experience for both parents and children since the signs are often misunderstood or viewed as unacceptable behavior. Mental health services, as along with charities and organizations can offer support. It is essential that families are aware of what to expect from the assessment process. CAMHS has produced guidelines on this subject and it can be found in the links below.
CAMHS also provide a variety of treatments for ADHD that include medication and lifestyle changes. It is crucial to choose the right medication for your child as everyone responds differently to medications. A CAMHS assessment may include discussions with a doctor or nurse and may include a variety of tests such as brain scans and blood tests.
The City and Hackney ADHD Team recently launched a program to improve quality and reduce waiting time. The team conducted a survey of service users during the assessment process and identified the most important themes that helped inform improvements to the path. Service users, for instance they felt that the assessment was too long and they did not receive enough post-assessment assistance. In addition they would like to see more targeted assistance for families and children who receive a diagnosis of ADHD.
After the QI project was completed the waiting times between initial referral and ADHD assessment were significantly reduced. This is in line with trust-level goals and is a reflection of the focus on increasing efficiency and capacity across the CAMHS system. The team utilized a model for change and Plan-Do-Study -Act cycles to create positive change in the ADHD process.
A diagnosis of ADHD can be beneficial in obtaining an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for your child. The EHCP allows your school to provide additional assistance for your child with regards to medication and training courses. The school may also refer to our CAMHS ADHD clinic for help and support sessions for children who have received an ADHD diagnosis.