Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

Introduction

Attention Deficit Hyper-activity Disorder is characterised by pervasive lack of attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity across more than one situation and setting – at home, school, and in public – which began before 7 years of age.
Children with ADD present with symptoms other than hyperactivity.
These behaviours cannot be explained by oppositional behaviour, defiance, hostility or a failure to understand tasks or instructions OR an underlying mental health difficulty, such as low mood or depression (if this is the case refer to specialist CAMHS)

Families with children who display difficulties in these categories should have already received significant advice and intervention from other professionals such as paediatricians, health visitors, social workers and educational support services before referral to CAMHS is made.
If concerns exist an assessment will be offered if the child has significant difficulties with hyperactivity (although not in ADD), impulsivity, inattention in more than one setting.

For children under 5 the normal route to assessment would be via Community Child Health.
CAMHS would not normally assess a child for ADHD until they have completed at least one term of primary school.

In line with other Health Boards in Scotland, the majority of referrals should be made by the child/young person’s school. This is because education holds the detailed information we require to make a fully informed decision.
There are exceptions to this (when the child/young person is home schooled, when they have not attended school for a significant length of time, or they are known to community paediatrics and they wish to refer).
Any such GP Referrals would be made via SCI Gateway/Paediatrics/Neurodevelopmental.
If parent/carer or young person asks the GP to refer them to CAMHS with concern around ADHD, ASD and/or cognitive function) please ask the parent/carer or young person to speak with school about making a referral.
If the GP makes a referral for a child who attends an education provision it is likely that the referral will not be accepted with the suggestion the parent/carer speak with child/young person’s school about making a referral.
We do not require referral from GP AND school but school only.
Following review of referrals to the neurodevelopmental pathway the neurodevelopmental referral management group will copy parent/carers into their response to referrer (when a referral is not accepted) or will send a standard acceptance letter, therefore directly informing parent/carer of their decision. Please note there is no change to the process for referring to CAMHS mental health pathway.