Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) involves a group of behaviours which exist over a long period and in all settings.
Symptoms include:
- Short attention span
- Unusually overactive
- Impulsiveness
- Easily distracted, unable to focus on one task at a time
- Difficulty following instructions and unable to finish a task
Naturally, young children are active and have short attention spans. ADHD is characterised by an excessive amount of activity according to expected development, which affects their daily life.
Studies have found that 1% of school aged children have ADHD. A large portion of these will also have developmental conditions or learning difficulties and some may have other concerns such as sleep disorders. Therefore, if ADHD is diagnosed individualised parenting and family support is offered.
There is more information available about ADHD on NHS Choices.
If you are concerned about ADHD
If you are a parent concerned about your child’s behaviour, or a young person wanting help with managing difficult behaviour, please speak to your relevant professional GP, health visitor, school health nurse, social worker or early help coordinator.
These professionals will ask you questions about what the concerning behaviours are, how it impacts your child’s life, how long this has been occurring, and what sort of help you would like.
There is a range of support that can be offered by the above professionals individually and through working together (we call this multi-disciplinary team working). Following discussion with you they will suggest what opportunities may be available, and who may be most appropriate to help.
If ADHD is suspected then your GP, Health Visitor, or School Health Nurse will be able to access a referral for a health assessment with a Community Paediatrician.
Those with diagnosed ADHD may work with the following CCHP services:
- Community Paediatrics
- Speech and Language
- Specialist Community Learning Disability Services
- Occupational Therapy
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
If you are referred to a Community Paediatrician, please expect an 'opt-in' letter within 8 weeks of reciept of the referral.
When you recieve this 'opt-in' letter please make contact as requested to arrange your appointment. If we do not hear back from you within a week of this letter, you will be sent one further 'opt-in' letter. If we do not hear from you within two weeks of this, it is then assummed you no longer wish to be seen, and a letter will be sent confirming that you have been discharged from the service.
NHS Choices
For more information about a condition, please visit NHS Choices.
Living with ADHD
Read about a local family's experience of living with ADHD and meeting CCHP profesionals: