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CAMHS ADHD Assessment

If your child or teen has issues, they may be sent to CAMHS to conduct an ADHD assessment. 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 have highlighted the advantages of remote appointments, but also said that meetings in person are preferable for assessments.

Signs and symptoms

If your child or young person you know has ADHD they may struggle to remain focused, forget things, have trouble falling asleep, and are easily distracted by other stimuli. They may also have trouble managing their tasks and activities at home or at school, struggling to comprehend information and may find it difficult to follow instructions. They might lose things and have trouble finishing homework or assignments and may have trouble keeping appointments. They may end up hurting themselves or others if they are not careful. They may have difficulty in relationships, find it difficult to find a job or work and have a difficult time being a good parent.

Many children and young adults with ADHD are also in a state of being impulsive. They might play with their hands, tap their fingers or struggle to wait for their turn. They may not listen to others and are more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as taking drugs or engaging in sexual activity that is dangerous. Some adults with ADHD suffer from emotional issues and are prone to becoming angry or frustrated. They may also be sensitive to criticism or feel that others are judging them.

The symptoms of ADHD are different for every person and they change as an individual gets older. They can affect people of any age, gender, or background. ADHD is treatable with medication. It is essential to be aware that treatment does not eliminate all the symptoms of the disorder and can cause side negative effects.

The first step towards getting assistance for ADHD is to have an assessment of the severity of adhd in camhs. This is typically done by asking your GP to schedule an appointment. They may recommend you to a mental health professional to conduct a specialist ADHD assessment.

The ELFT's Quality Improvement team (QI) collaborated with City and Hackney ADHD teams to improve the speed and accuracy of their assessment process. As a result, the average wait time from referral to feedback from the assessment was reduced to less than 12 weeks. This is in line with the trust's goals.

Diagnosis

ADHD is a medical condition and can be treated by medications, behavioural therapy, or education. It isn't easy for parents and children to understand the condition, but there is lots of help available. If you believe that you or your child has symptoms of ADHD talk to a GP. They will 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 a couple of members of the team. They will also ask for feedback from the child, their parent(s) or carer(s) as well as a teacher that is familiar with them. The team will use standard assessment methods and detailed history taking to assess your child's challenges. They will also send Conners questionnaires to the child as well as the parent(s) or guardian(s) and teachers who know the child well.

The CAMHS team could then decide that your child needs further tests and they will refer them to an expert clinical psychologist. The psychologist will use different tests to determine how your child manages their emotions and behavior in different situations. They will assess the ways your child behaves in a variety of settings, including home, school and public spaces.

During the exam the clinician will discuss with you and your child about what they've discovered. They will then formulate a diagnosis and discuss the options for treatment with you. Patients with ADHD are often treated with medication, but it is not a cure for all symptoms.

Rotherham CAMHS is divided into different pathways and the "ADHD assessment pathway" is within the Neurodevelopmental Assessment pathway. However, certain children and young people have their ADHD assessment through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS pathway. This is due to their an elevated cognitive ability and their difficulties are more complex than those of other children and young people who use CAMHS. adhd assessment in uk CAMHS' on this website provides more details on this pathway.

Treatment

The NHS provides specialist help for children and adolescents with ADHD through an in-person service within your region. This might include a psychiatrist psychologist or a nurse. You'll be asked to write about your symptoms and how they affect your life. They may also ask your parents, teachers, or other carers. They might decide to treat you with medicine or suggest alternative treatments instead. The NHS website offers information about treatments and what you can expect.

A recent report2 highlighted the issue of long waiting times for CAMHS services. The waiting times for assessment of ADHD are particularly long, even with good quality care. National guidelines3 and local plans for transformation4 emphasize the importance of early identification and assessment of children and adolescents suffering from 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 achieved using an easy instrument for data collection and integration 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 like to express our gratitude to the City and Hackney CAMHS ADHD team for their commitment and hard work throughout the project.

If a medication has been prescribed, the specialists discuss the options available to you and your family members. There are a myriad of drugs that can be used to treat ADHD however, they all have different adverse effects. It is crucial to know what to expect when you begin any treatment.

In addition to medications There are a myriad of non-pharmacological strategies that can be used to improve the symptoms of ADHD. These can include parenting programs, and behavior therapy. Individual or group sessions are available. For those who suffers from ADHD may also find it beneficial to use applications for planning and organisation.

The project involved twelve people who were recently referred to the CAMHS ADHD pathway within a local Trust. The interviews were semi-structured and were conducted via telephone. Participants were recruited using an intentional sampling technique. This method was chosen as it is considered to be more ethical than the randomised controlled trial approach which is typically employed in research studies.

Support

The diagnosis of ADHD can be a stressful experience for both parents and children, as the symptoms are often misinterpreted or seen as unacceptable behavior. Mental health services, as along with charities and organizations can offer support. It is essential that families understand what to expect from the assessment process. CAMHS has provided guidelines on the subject, which you can find by clicking the links below.

CAMHS offers a range of treatments for ADHD including medication and lifestyle modifications. It is important to select the appropriate medication for your child as every person reacts differently to medication. A CAMHS evaluation will involve discussions with a doctor or nurse and may involve a variety of tests, including brain scans and blood tests that can help determine possible causes of the symptoms.

The City and Hackney ADHD team recently implemented an improvement in quality to cut down on wait times and improve customer satisfaction. The team conducted a survey of service users throughout the assessment process and identified key themes which helped inform improvements to the path. For instance, they thought that the assessment was too long and that there was not enough support to providing postassessment support. They also would like to see more specific support for families and children who are diagnosed with ADHD.

In the wake of the QI project, the wait times between referral and ADHD assessment have been reduced dramatically. This is in line with trust-level goals and reflects the focus on enhancing efficiency and capacity across the CAMHS system. The team used the model of change and Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles to effect positive changes within the ADHD process.

A diagnosis of ADHD can also help you obtain an Education, Health and Care Plan for your child. The EHCP allows schools to provide additional support for your children including medication and training courses. The school may also contact our CAMHS ADHD clinic for support and advice for children who have been given an ADHD diagnosis.

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