ADHD - seen CAMHS what's next?

[2gorgeousboys]

I've posted on here a couple of times about DS2 who has suspected ADHD. The GP referred us to CAMHS in September and after numerous meetings, observations and questionnaires we were advised on Thursday that the nurse we had been seeing had put his file in front of the assessment panel and it's been agreed that they have enough evidence to warrant a referral to the specialist ADHD assessment team.

I thought that was what CAMHS were doing but apparently not! I asked how long the waiting list is which she didn't know, but did say it's a long time but shorter than the Autism waiting list which is currently 2 years!!

So what next? DS2 is nearly 13 and we've wasted enough time getting to this point, we haven't got time to lose. So is there anything I can do in the meantime? What will the ADHD team assess that CAMHS didn't and is it worth going private for a diagnosis?

[scrabble1]

Hi the ADHD team have specialist nurses who can diagnose by observing at school. A form is sent to school and to you. The answers are compared to see if the difficulties with attention,concentration etc are the same in both settings. These nurses can prescribe medication and attend meetings at school with you to suggest strategies.

[2gorgeousboys]

Thanks @scrabble1. We (us, school and DS2) have complete the Conners questionnaire, he's been observed at home and we've done an anxiety questionnaire too. I suppose I thought that CAMHS would be the last step to diagnosis but it appears they are a filter to the next waiting list!

I read "Living with it brakes" yesterday so have got some ideas about strategies I can start to put in place for him now.

[frogsarejumpy]

Hi,

We had a 9 month process through CAmhs, nurse assessments, questionnaires for us and school etc. Each stage we got through to another round, eg QB test (computer programme that looks at age appropriate levels of attention and movement etc), then consultant review, where we got the diagnosis.
I read a lot online, Additude online magazine is great, and Christopher Greens book on ADHD, I got a lot out from the library. Just reading about children who sounded like our son was helpful. The most helpful part of the diagnostic process for us was the fact that there was an issue, it was almost validated. We knew he couldn't control his behaviour and distraction easily, but there's a nagging thought that maybe we just need to be even stricter etc. Best of luck