Parents feel stuck in limbo while waiting for ADHD assessments in CAMHS
Submitted by Ellen Hedstrom
This study explored the experiences of 41 parents of children aged between 5 and 11 years old who had been waiting for an ADHD assessment and diagnosis through Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in England. 30% of parents had been waiting between one to two years to see a service, with 10% having waited more than two years. Through semi structured interviews and reflexive thematic analysis, six themes were uncovered focusing on communication from services and the effect on child and parent mental health.
We found that parents wanted clarity around the assessment and diagnostic process:
"I would love to know before the initial appointment, what questions are you going to ask my child and how are you going to do it? I was quite anxious. What do I need to do?"
Parents also wanted more support while they waited:
"Strategies that could have very easily been shared in some sort of PDF or videos online that … things we could have put in place earlier and without a diagnosis."
Parents recognised the pressures on services to offer timely support; however, their well-being could be substantially improved by more clarity around wait times, as well as more effective signposting and support from services concerning the assessment process. This may help alleviate some of the stressors associated with their child's assessment journey, such as feeling responsible for their child's difficulties and the burden of supporting their educational needs.
I’m a young person – what does this mean for me?
Reduced wait times will make young people feel that their needs are being taken seriously and recognised. It may enable earlier and more substantial support from schools as well.
I’m a parent - what does this mean for me?
While wait times may not easily be reduced, more information and clarity around wait times and support while waiting will make parents feel less forgotten and "in limbo".