Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder assessments (ADHD)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) assessments typically involve a comprehensive evaluation conducted by a qualified healthcare professional such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. The assessment usually involves gathering information from multiple sources, such as parents, teachers, and the individual being evaluated, to get a full picture of their symptoms and behaviour.
Here are some common steps and tools used in the assessment process:
Interview: A clinician will conduct an interview with the individual and their family members to gather information about their medical history, developmental history, and current symptoms. They may also ask about any stressors or events that could be contributing to the symptoms.
- Rating scales: A clinician may use rating scales or checklists to help evaluate the individual's symptoms. These questionnaires are often filled out by the individual (depending on age), their family members, and their teachers.
- Observation: A clinician may observe the individual's behaviour in different settings, such as at home, school, or during a clinic visit.
- Medical exam: A clinician may perform a physical exam to rule out any medical conditions that could be causing or contributing to the symptoms.
- Neuropsychological testing: In some cases, a clinician may conduct neuropsychological testing to evaluate the individual's cognitive and academic functioning.
- Diagnostic criteria: Finally, the clinician will use diagnostic criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to determine if the individual meets the criteria for ADHD.
It's important to note that there is no single test to diagnose ADHD, and the assessment process may vary depending on the individual and the clinician. A thorough evaluation is important to ensure an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
ADHD Assessment Process: Before the assessment
Parents/carers will be asked to fill in some questionnaires and scales prior to the assessment. School staff are very important in helping us to understand how your child/young person functions in their school life.
Therefore, with your permission we will also send the teacher and/or SENCO some questionnaires to fill in and seek additional information about your child’s strengths and weaknesses.
What Will Happen during the assessment?
We are currently accepting referrals for ADHD assessments for young people who have a background of social care involvement, to help them and their team differential between complex developmental trauma and ADHD. Once a referral form has been completed, this will be screened by one of our experienced senior clinicians, and if accepted, we will send our ADHD Screening pack to gather information regarding the difficulties the young person is facing, and their current presentation. We would then discuss this in our specialist Multi-disciplinary team.
If the young person meets criteria for a full assessment, a member of our clinical team would conduct a series of interviews with the young person, the person’s carers, and if necessary, additional parties, such as teachers, social workers, etc. We will then feedback the results to the referrer, young person and carers, and well as completing a report. We will keep the referrer and team around the child fully updated at every step of the journey, as appropriate.
What happens after the assessment?
At CB4C we believe that the most important part of any diagnostic assessment is what happened afterwards. Following both the full ADHD and Autism assessment, we will feedback to the carers and young person, and complete a detailed diagnostic report, which includes a bespoke action and support plan. This will include recommendations based on the reports and observations made as part of the assessments, and will include strategies on how best to support neurodivergent people. The report may include areas such as supporting with behaviours that challenge, sensory needs, and communication difficulties.
Our focus is always to make any strategies or interventions as practicable, useful, and easy to implement as possible. If required, our experienced clinicians can also work with the young person and wider team to co-produce a more detailed plan to provide a holistic and detailed intervention plan.
Treatment options for ASC and ADHD
Children and young people with ASC and ADHD may present with additional psychological difficulties, such has anxiety, low mood, social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, emotional dysregulation, behavioural difficulties and so on.
Connect B4 Correct offers a flexible yet bespoke treatment approach that works best for you and your child/young person. This may include one or more of the following: