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CAMHS ADHD Assessment
If your child or adolescent is experiencing difficulties, they could be sent for 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, interview responses from parents/caregivers highlighted the benefits of remote appointments, while also stating that face-to-face appointments are preferred during assessments.
Symptoms
If your child or young person you know is suffering from ADHD They may be unable to sit still and forgetting things, have difficulty falling asleep and be easily distracted by extraneous stimuli. They might also have difficulty trying to keep up with tasks or activities at home or in school or at home, struggle to comprehend information and are unable to follow instructions. They may lose things and have trouble finishing assignments or homework and miss appointments. If they're not careful, they might harm themselves or others. They could have a difficult time in relationships, have trouble finding work or a job and may find it difficult to get on with their family members.
Some children and young people with ADHD are also impulsive. They might fidget or tap their fingers, struggle to get their turn in activities or be incapable of stopping talking. They might not listen to the opinions of others and might be more inclined to take risks, such as using drugs or engaging in dangerous sexual activity. Many adults suffering from ADHD also have problems with their emotions and can become angry, frustrated, or angry quickly. They may also be extremely sensitive or feel like others are criticizing them.
The symptoms of ADHD are different from person to person and may change with age. They can affect anyone of any gender, ethnicity or background. ADHD can be treated with medication. However, it is crucial to be aware that treatment doesn't eliminate all the signs of the disorder and could cause side negative effects.
The first step in seeking assistance for ADHD is to seek an assessment for ADHD with a camhs. The most popular method for this is to go to your GP and request an appointment. They may refer you to a mental health clinic for a specialist 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 time between assessment and feedback was reduced from 12 weeks to less than 12. This is in line with the trust's goals.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a medical disorder that can be treated with medication, behavioral therapy or education. It can be a challenge for children and parents to comprehend the condition however there is a lot of support available. If you think you or your child may be suffering from symptoms of ADHD talk to a GP. They can refer you to a specialist CAMHS team who will examine your child's condition and make a diagnosis.
If your child is directed to a CAMHS ADHD assessment service, they are usually seen by one or two members of the team. They will also ask for feedback from the child as well as their parent(s) or carer(s) as well as a teacher that knows them well. The team will utilize standardised assessments and detailed histories to evaluate your child's difficulties. They will also send Conners questionnaires to the child or the parent(s), or guardian(s), and an educator who knows the child well.
The CAMHS team will determine whether your child needs additional tests and refer them to a psychologist who is a clinical. The psychologist will employ various tests to determine how your child handles their emotions and behaves in various situations. They will examine the ways your child behaves in a range of different environments, including at home, school and public spaces.
During the evaluation your doctor will discuss with you and your child what they've discovered. They will then issue an assessment and discuss the options for treatment with you. Patients with ADHD are usually treated by medication, but it does not eliminate all symptoms.
Rotherham CAMHS is divided into several pathways, and the 'ADHD assessment pathway' falls within the Neurodevelopmental Assessment pathway. Certain children and adolescents will be assessed for ADHD through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS pathway. This is due to their cognitive abilities are greater and their challenges more complicated than other children and teens who utilize CAMHS. The 'ID CAMHS' page on this site provides more details about this route.
Treatment
The NHS provides specialized assistance to children and adolescents with ADHD through a local service. This could include a psychiatrist or psychologist, or even a nurse. You'll 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 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 with high-quality care. Local plans and guidelines3 as well as national guidelines3 for transformation4 emphasize the importance of early detection and evaluation of children and adolescents suffering from ADHD. However there aren't any explicit guidelines on how long they should wait.
This quality improvement (QI) project was created to cut down on waiting times for the ADHD assessment process. This was accomplished by using an easy tool for collecting data and integrating it into the clinical system. This has allowed the average number of weeks from the date of referral to the date of the ADHD assessment feedback to be lowered. The QI team would also like to thank City and Hackney CAMHS ADHD for their dedication and hardwork throughout the course of this project.
If you are prescribed a medication by a specialist, they will discuss the options with you and your family. There are click here for info of medications which can treat ADHD. However they all have different side-effects. It is essential to be aware of the potential side effects before you start any treatment.
There are many non-pharmacological treatment options that can aid in the reduction of ADHD symptoms. These include parenting programmes such as behaviour therapy, and psychological treatments. They can be provided individually or in groups. Someone who suffers from ADHD may also find it helpful to use applications for planning and organisation.
The project involved 12 participants who had been referred recently to the CAMHS ADHD route within the local Trust. Interviews were structured and took place over the phone. Participants were contacted using a purposeful sample technique. This technique was chosen because it is considered to be more ethical than the randomised controlled trial method that would normally be employed in research studies.
Support
A diagnosis of ADHD can be stressful for parents and children, as the symptoms can be misunderstood and viewed as bad behaviour. There are a lot of support available through mental health services as well as organisations and charities that can help. 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 offers a range of treatments for ADHD including medication and lifestyle changes. However, it is vital to ensure that the appropriate treatment is chosen for your child's needs, as different individuals respond differently to different medications. A CAMHS assessment will involve discussions with a physician or nurse and can involve a range of tests, including blood tests and brain scans, which can help identify possible causes for the symptoms.
The City and Hackney ADHD team recently launched an improvement in quality to cut down on wait times and improve user satisfaction. The team conducted a series of meetings with service users throughout the assessment process and identified the main themes that informed the improvement of the process. For instance, some service users thought that the assessment was too long and there was not enough support on the post-assessment. They would also like to see more specific support for families and children who have been diagnosed with ADHD.
In the wake of the QI project, the wait time from referral to ADHD assessment have been reduced dramatically. This is in line with trust-level goals and reflects the emphasis on enhancing efficiency and capacity across the CAMHS system. The team used a change model and Plan-Do–Study–Act cycles to drive positive changes in the ADHD pathway.
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 support for your children with regards to training and medication. Our CAMHS ADHD clinic will offer support and guidance to children with ADHD.