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CAMHS ADHD Assessment If your child or adolescent has difficulty, they may be recommended to undergo an ADHD assessment 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 the interview highlighted positives around remote appointments but also that face-to–face appointments would be preferred during assessments. Signs and symptoms If you have ADHD your child or teen might have trouble sitting still or concentrating, snagging things, having difficulty falling asleep, and being easily distracted by external stimuli. They might also have difficulty trying to keep up with their tasks or activities at home or in school or at home, struggle to comprehend information and may find it difficult to follow directions. They could lose their possessions, have difficulties completing assignments or homework and may miss appointments. If they're not careful, they could cause harm to themselves or others. They might experience difficulties in relationships, and find it difficult to find an employment or job, and have trouble getting along with their family. Many children and young adults with ADHD are also impulsive. They may fidget, tap their fingers or struggle to wait their turn. They might not be able to listen to other people and be more likely to engage in risky behaviors like taking drugs or engaging in sexual activity that is risky. Certain people with ADHD also have problems with their emotions and can be angry, frustrated or angry easily. They might also be overly sensitive to criticism or believe that others are criticising them. The symptoms of ADHD can vary from person to person and change with age. They can affect people of any race, gender or background. ADHD is treatable with medication. It is crucial to understand that medication cannot remove all symptoms of the disorder, and may cause adverse effects. The first step in receiving help for ADHD is to have an assessment for ADHD with a camhs. The most popular method to do this is to go to your GP and request an appointment. They may refer you to a mental health clinic to conduct a specialist ADHD assessment. ELFT's Quality Improvement (QI) team worked with the City and Hackney ADHD team to speed up their assessment process. The average time between assessment and feedback 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 medication, behavioural therapy or education. It isn't easy for children and parents to understand the disorder, but there is lots of help available. If you think you or your child has symptoms of ADHD consult an GP. They may refer you to an expert CAMHS team who will assess your child and diagnose them. If your child has been sent to the CAMHS ADHD Assessment Service you will be visited by at least one member of the team. They will also request feedback from the child as well as their parent(s) or carer(s) and the teacher who is familiar with them. The team will utilize standardised assessments and detailed histories to assess your child's challenges. They will also send Conners questionnaires to the child or the parent(s), or guardian(s) and an educator who knows the young person very well. The CAMHS team will then determine if your child requires further tests and refer them to a clinical psychologist. The psychologist will use different tests to see how your child handles their emotions and behaviour in different situations. They will examine the way your child behaves at home, in school, and in public places. During the examination the clinician will discuss with you and your child about what they have found out. They will then make an assessment and discuss options for treatment with you. People suffering from ADHD are usually treated by medication, but it does not eliminate all symptoms. Rotherham CAMHS is divided into different pathways and the “ADHD assessment pathway” is within the Neurodevelopmental Assessment pathway. Some adolescents and children will be assessed for ADHD through the Intellectual Disability CAMHS path. This is because they have a higher level of cognitive ability and their challenges are more complex than other children and young people who utilize CAMHS. The 'ID CAMHS' page on this site provides more details about this route. Treatment The NHS offers specialist help for children and adolescents with ADHD through a local support service. This could include psychologists or psychiatrists, or even nurses. You'll be asked to explain your symptoms, and how they affect your life. They might also talk to your parents, teachers or other caregivers. They might decide to treat you with medicine or suggest alternative treatment options instead. The NHS website has information about treatments and what to expect. why are adhd assessments so expensive focused on the issue of long waiting times for CAMHS services. The wait times for the evaluation of ADHD are particularly high, even when the care is of a high standard. While national guidelines3 as well as local transformation plans4 stress the need for early identification of children and young adults with ADHD and a guideline for assessment has been provided however there is no clear guideline on the length of time a child or young person should wait to see a doctor. This project was created to reduce the waiting time for the ADHD assessment. This was accomplished by using a simple tool for data collection and embedding it in the clinical system. This has enabled the average amount of time from the date of referral to the date of the ADHD assessment feedback to be reduced. The QI team would like to thank the City and Hackney CAMHS ADHD team for their commitment and hard work during this project. If a medication is prescribed, your doctor will discuss the options available to you and your family members. There are many medications which can treat ADHD. However, they all have different side-effects. It is important that you know what to expect from any treatment. In addition to medication, there are a variety of non-pharmacological interventions that can help improve the symptoms of ADHD. These can include parenting programs and behaviour therapy. Sessions for groups or individuals are available. Apps that help with planning and organization could be beneficial to someone suffering from ADHD. The project included 12 participants who were recently been referred to the CAMHS ADHD pathway within a local Trust. Interviews were semi-structured and took place over the phone. Participants were recruited through a targeted sample method. This method was chosen as it is considered more ethical than the randomised controlled trial approach which is typically used in a research study. Support A diagnosis of ADHD can be distressing for parents and young people because the signs are often misinterpreted and viewed as bad behavior. Mental health services as well as charities and organisations can offer support. It is crucial that families understand what to expect from the assessment process. CAMHS have provided guidance on this subject and it is available in the links below. CAMHS also provide a variety of different treatments for ADHD that include medication and lifestyle changes. But it is crucial that the right treatment is selected for your child's needs, as different people respond differently to medications. A CAMHS assessment may include discussions with a nurse or doctor and can involve a variety of tests like brain scans and blood tests. The City and Hackney ADHD Team recently implemented a project to improve the quality of service and reduce waiting time. The team met with service users throughout the assessment process, and identified key issues that influenced the design of the assessment process. For example, service users were of the opinion that the assessment was too long and there was not enough support offer postassessment. In addition they would like get more specific support for families and children who are diagnosed with ADHD. After the QI project was launched, waiting time between referrals and ADHD assessment significantly decreased. This is in line with trust-level targets and is a reflection of the focus on increasing efficiency and capacity across the CAMHS system. The team employed an approach to change and Plan-Do-Study -Act cycles to create positive changes within the ADHD pathway. A diagnosis of ADHD can also be helpful in obtaining an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for your child. The EHCP allows your school to provide additional support for your child including medication and training courses. The school can also contact our CAMHS ADHD clinic for advice and support sessions for children who have received an ADHD diagnosis.