Patients, Visitors & The Public

ADHD Pathway

 What is ADHD?

 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting both children and adults. It is described as a “persistent” or ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that gets in the way of daily life or typical development. Individuals with ADHD may have difficulties with maintaining attention, initiate activities, planning tasks and working memory.

 There are three presentations of ADHD:

  • Inattentive
  • Hyperactive-Impulsive
  • Combined Inattentive & Hyperactive-Impulsive

Current ADHD Pathway

If a child has mild/ moderate impairment that could be explained by ADHD, please apply ADHD recommendations and strategies as per the Guidance for the Multiagency Map (available to schools) and allow 6 months to monitor progress.

If a child has severe impairment that could be explained by ADHD, they can be referred to the Community Paediatric team by school.  Severe ADHD is defined as hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention are all present in multiple settings and with severe impairment in multiple domains (e.g. home life, classroom learning and friendships).  

On referral to the Community Paediatric team, please complete and return all the relevant paperwork:

  • Referral and consent form, with the child’s details, explaining the reasons for referral
  • ‘ADHD Rating Scale’
  • ‘Request for Information Form’
  • Any professional reports
  • Strategies that are in place and progress report (e.g. SEND Pupil Profile)

ADHD Assessment Process

The ADHD assessment will be carried out by a paediatrician/specialist nurse, who will complete a thorough history about your child’s health and development from birth onwards.  You may be asked some questions that you may not want to discuss in front of your child so please consider bringing an additional adult to the appointment to enable them to supervise your child elsewhere during this part of the appointment.  We will ask for Conner’s Questionnaires to be completed to collect more information from both home and school in advance of the initial appointment.  All questions need to be answered on these questionnaires for the results to be calculated.  Additional tests including a QB test may be required in certain situations depending upon the decision of the clinician. 

The waiting list for our ADHD assessment varies.  Whilst awaiting ADHD assessment, we recommend accessing the ADHD Foundation website (www.adhdfoundation.org.uk) for further information and resources about ADHD.  Any additional educational support should be needs based and this can be discussed with your child’s school without the need for a formal diagnosis as described in the Children’s and Families Act 2014. 

Additional advice on special educational support can be accessed via the Cheshire West and Chester Information and Advisory service (iasservice@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk).  All services for children and young people with any special educational needs provided by the local authority, health or voluntary sector should also be found on the local offer website. ( Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Local Offer | Live Well Cheshire West (cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk)

 

 

Patients Visitors and Public