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CAMHS ADHD Assessment

If your child or adolescent is experiencing difficulty, they may be recommended for an ADHD assessment by CAMHS. They will usually be asked to bring with them their parent(s)/guardian(s) and a teacher who knows them well.

Parents and caregivers interviewed in response to COVID-19 highlighted the positives of remote appointments, but also suggested that face-toface appointments would be preferable for assessments.


Signs and symptoms

If you suffer from ADHD your child or teenager may struggle to remain focused or concentrating, snagging things, unable to fall asleep, and is easily distracted by external stimuli. They may also have trouble keeping up with tasks and activities at school or at home, 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. If they are not careful, they might cause harm to themselves or others. They could have a difficult time in relationships, find it difficult to find work or a job and may have difficulty to be a good friend to their family members.

Some children and adolescents with ADHD are hyperactive. They might fumble or tap their fingers, struggle to get their turn in activities or incapable of stopping talking. They may not listen to others and are more likely to engage in risky activities like using drugs or engaging in sexual activities that are dangerous. Many people with ADHD also have issues with their emotions. They can be angry, frustrated or angry quickly. They may also be extremely sensitive or feel that other people are judging them.

The symptoms of ADHD differ for each person and can change as a person gets older. They can affect anyone of any race, gender or background. ADHD is a condition that is treated with medication. It is important to realize that medication is not able to eliminate all symptoms of the disorder, and may cause adverse effects.

The first step to getting help for ADHD is to have an assessment of the severity of adhd in camhs. This is typically done by asking your GP for an appointment. They might refer you to a mental health professional for a specialist ADHD assessment.

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

Diagnosis

ADHD is a medical condition which can be treated through treatment with medication, behavioral therapy or education. Parents and children may find it difficult to understand, but there are many resources available. If you think you or your child is suffering from symptoms of ADHD, speak to an GP. They will refer you to a specialist CAMHS who will assess and determine if your child is suffering from ADHD.

If your child is directed to a CAMHS ADHD assessment service they typically will be viewed by a couple of members of the team. They will also ask the child's parents or caregivers, and a teacher who knows the child well to provide feedback. The team will employ standard assessment techniques and detailed histories taking to assess the child's needs. They will also send Conners questionnaires to the child, the parent(s) or guardian(s) and a teacher who knows the young person very well.

The CAMHS team will then decide whether your child needs additional testing and refer them a psychologist who is a clinical. The psychologist will use different tests to assess how your child manages their emotions and behaviour in different situations. They will assess the ways your child behaves in a range of different environments, including at the home, school and public places.

During the evaluation the doctor will talk with you and your child what they've discovered. They will then issue an assessment and discuss options for treatment with you. Patients with ADHD are often treated by medication, but it's not enough to eliminate all 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 undergo their ADHD assessment done through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS pathway. This is due to their cognitive abilities are higher and their difficulties more complicated than other children and teens who utilize CAMHS. The page 'ID CAMHS' on this website provides more details on this pathway.

Treatment

The NHS offers specialist help for children and adolescents with ADHD via a local service. This could include a psychiatrist, psychologist or a nurse. You'll be asked to explain your symptoms, and how they impact your life. They could also speak with your teachers, parents, or other caregivers. They may decide to treat you with medicine or suggest different treatment options instead. The NHS website contains information on treatments and what to expect.

A recent report2 highlighted the issue of long waiting times for CAMHS services. Even with high-quality treatment waiting times for ADHD assessments can be very long. Local plans and guidelines3 as well as national guidelines3 for transformation4 emphasize the importance of early identification and assessment of adolescents and children with ADHD. However, there are no explicit guidelines regarding how long they should wait.

This project was created to cut down on the time it takes for the ADHD assessment. This was achieved through the use of a simple data collection tool and integrating it into the clinical system. The average number of weeks between the time the referral was made and the date the ADHD assessment feedback was given was decreased. The QI team would like to express our gratitude to the City and the Hackney CAMHS ADHD team for their commitment and hard work during this project.

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

In addition to medications in addition, there are a range of non-pharmacological interventions that can be used to aid in the treatment of ADHD. These include parenting programmes and behaviour therapy. adhd assessments or individual sessions are available. Apps that assist with organisation and planning may be beneficial to someone suffering from ADHD.

The project involved 12 participants who had been referred recently to the CAMHS ADHD route within a local Trust. Interviews were semi-structured and conducted over the phone. Participants were selected through a targeted sample method. This method was chosen as it is considered more ethical than the randomised controlled trial approach that would normally be used in a research study.

Support

The diagnosis of ADHD can be a stressful experience for parents and children alike, as the symptoms are often misinterpreted or seen as bad 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 have produced guidance on this, and it can be found in the links below.

CAMHS also provide a range of different treatment options for ADHD that include lifestyle and medication. But it is crucial that the right treatment is chosen for your child's needs, as different people respond differently to medications. A CAMHS evaluation will involve discussions with a physician or nurse and could involve a variety of tests, including blood tests and brain scans which help to determine possible causes of the symptoms.

The City and Hackney ADHD Team recently launched a program to improve quality and reduce waiting times. The team met with service users throughout the assessment process and they identified the main themes that informed improvements to the assessment process. Service users, for example were of the opinion that the assessment was too long and they did not receive enough post-assessment support. In addition, they would like to see more targeted support for children and families who are diagnosed with ADHD.

After the QI project was implemented, waiting times between initial referral and ADHD assessment were significantly reduced. This is in line with targets for trust-levels, and shows the importance of improving effectiveness and capacity across the CAMHS System. The team employed an approach to change and Plan-Do-Study Act cycles to effect positive changes in 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 allows your school to provide additional support for your children with regards to medication and training courses. The school can also contact our CAMHS ADHD clinic for support and advice for children who have received an ADHD diagnosis.

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