ADHD
Referrals
The NDP team assesses children and young people for neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Making a referral
The Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) nursing team offers a comprehensive assessment for ADHD, which includes detailed school reports, rating scales (validated assessment tools) from both parent/carer and school; it may also include a school observation or quantitative behavioural (QB test).
If the child is diagnosed with ADHD by a Paediatrician, the team who consist of Registered Nurses and Administrators who specialise in the assessment and treatment of the condition will then meet with the child and family for a first appointment.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can cause behaviours ranging from being forgetful, disorganised and unable to concentrate, through to children who are very hyperactive, disruptive and oppositional. It is usually more noticeable in settings such as a school and is a common cause of behaviour which parents/carers and teachers may find challenging or concerning.
If making a referral the child/young person should display more than one symptom that is suggestive of ADHD such as:
- Forgetfulness
- Disorganisation
- Hyperactivity
- Find it difficult to play or work quietly
- Impulsive
- Poor concentration
- Excessive chattiness
Criteria for referral to our service also include:
- Children/young people aged between 5 and 16 years of age
- Children/young people registered with a GP within the locality of Birmingham
- Children/young people who are not already under care of a service for ADHD in Birmingham
Who can refer?
- School Nurses and Allied Health Professionals
- Hospital Paediatricians and Allied Health Professionals
- GPs
- Social Care Services
- Education – Schools, Educational Psychologists, Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (SENCo’s)
- Forward Thinking Birmingham (CAMHS)
- Voluntary sector – Barnardos, NCH Action for Children and others
If you are a professional who wishes to refer a child for ADHD assessment, please complete the referral form.
Please be aware:
It is very important to us that confidentiality and consent are respected at all times. Please ensure that consent is obtained from the child’s parent/carer prior to its submission – you can state that consent has been obtained on the form.
*We do not accept referrals directly from parents/carers. Please approach your GP, school or other professional for help if you feel your child is showing symptoms suggestive of ADHD*
Steps in the assessment process
- Information gathering: on receiving a referral, we gather information from parents, carers, schools and settings, as well as from any other key professionals, by using standardised questionnaires.
- Observations of child/young person: sometimes an objective ADHD test, such as a Quantitative Behavioural (QB) test, sometimes at the child/young person's school or education setting may be required as part of the assessment.
- Review: The above information is then reviewed to make a clinical decision as to whether the diagnosis of ADHD is met or not.
- From when the team first receives a referral, it can take up to 12 months for a decision to be made as to whether your child has ADHD or not, please be aware, this is subject to change.
- ADHD assessments are done by ADHD Clinical Nurse Specialists working together with Community Paediatricians and, occasionally, other professionals, such as Clinical Psychologists and Educational Psychologists.
- You will only be offered a future follow up appointment if deemed clinically necessary. The Nurse may signpost you to other services or provide you with the relevant information you require.
- You may be discharged from our service for more appropriate and tailored care, this will always be discussed with you.
If the child is diagnosed with ADHD, the ADHD Clinical Nurse Specialist Team (who consist of Registered Nurses and Administrators) will then meet with the child and family for a first appointment.
If you are worried about your child, please note this is not an emergency or mental health crisis service.
If you notice your child’s health is deteriorating or your child is in immediate danger, please call 999 or go to A&E.
If you need urgent help for your child's health call 111, contact your GP for further advice or contact Forward Thinking Birmingham Crisis line on 0300 300 0099 for issues relating to mental health.