ADHD

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a medical condition. A person with ADHD has differences in brain development and brain activity that affect attention, the ability to sit still, and self-control. ADHD can affect a child at school, at home, and in friendships.

Our team sits under the Indigo Pathway and includes Paediatricians, Specialist Nurses and Occupational Therapists who specialise in assessing and supporting children with social ADHD. We work closely with our therapy colleagues, emotional wellbeing team and school nursing. 

We accept referrals for children aged between 6years old up until their 11th birthday.  

We accept referrals from:

• Schools
• GPs
• Educational Psychologists
• CAMHS Clinicians
• YOT (Youth Offending Team)
• Paediatricians
• Children’s Services

School Years (up to age 11 years)

You can discuss any concerns with your child’s school or your GP, they may suggest a referral to the ADHD pathway for assessment.

The school nursing team may contact you to discuss your concerns and either make a referral or signpost you to the appropriate support.

After completing a referral, your child’s referral will be triaged and you will be asked for additional information or questionnaires. If we do not receive this information back, your child’s referral will be discharged and we will require a new referral.

• Family Developmental History (parents only)
• Parent Screening Pack
• Teacher Screening Pack

NICE Guidelines tell us that for a diagnosis to be made we must have information from other sources in addition to parents such as schools.

Following review of this information, if we feel that your child does require specialist assessment to assess for ADHD, they will be accepted to the ADHD waiting list for an assessment.

Please note that we do not offer “emergency assessments”

Please note that children can be referred into the Indigo Neurodiversity Pathway up until their 11th birthday. From their 11th birthday, children should be referred for assessment through The Neurodevelopmental and Learning Disabilities Service (NLDS) provided though NELFT. https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/services-kent-medway/

Assessment

Your child will first be seen for an observation or QB test. This is a computer based programme that will assess some of the core symptoms of ADHD.  In this appointment, the child will be seen on their own with a member of our ADHD team. Parents/ carers will be asked to wait in the waiting room.

Following the QB, you and your child will be invited to an appointment with either a paediatrician or one of our specialist ADHD nurses (who have advanced training to assess for and diagnose ADHD).

This appointment will likely consist of:

• Parental interview to review Family Development History form (please let your child’s nurse know if there is any information you wish to discuss privately this can then be arranged)
• Height, weight and blood pressure checks
• Liaison with other services who have involvement with your child.
• Review of assessments completed by other agencies (this can include Speech and Language, Occupational Therapy, Paediatricians & Education Psychology).  ** If you have copies of these reports please bring them to your assessment appointment to save time **

The assessment may be conclusive however in some situations, the team may require additional information to come to a diagnostic outcome.

The assessment outcomes could be

• Your child may meet criteria for a diagnosis.
• Your child may not meet criteria for a diagnosis.
• Professionals may need to seek additional information to either confirm or exclude a diagnosis- this may mean that the team require more time to gain additional information however this will be explained to you on the day.

Following your appointment, you will be sent a full report of your child’s assessment with a diagnosis if appropriate. The report will include recommendations and strategies that nursery/ school and home can use to support your child.

School can use this report to update relevant paperwork with your child’s needs/ relevant diagnosis.

We act as an advocate and provide advice and support to families meeting their children’s needs. We are able to sign-post to and refer to specialist services as necessary, source relevant information and liaise with agencies supporting the family. Sometimes, follow up appointments are not necessary.

Some children may benefit from follow up with our Psychosocial Team if there is a specific identified area of support required. This will be discussed with you in your appointment if appropriate.

Paediatricians and some of our specially trained ADHD nurses are able to assess for, diagnose and prescribe medications for ADHD.

There are very clear NICE guidelines around the use of medication and monitoring of medication.

Medication is an individual choice however there are clear NICE Guidelines about the use of medication. Some young people may not be able to take medication due to other health issues and our staff will advise and discuss support options with you and your child.

When reviewing medication, we may ask for updated information in relation to how young people are coping with their current medication. If there have been changes this informs our treatment plans. When starting medication or following changes to dosage, Medication Assessment Packs are used to monitor the effect of medication on symptoms and side effects.