Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Assessment Pathway

PART A – ASSESSMENT:

TAASC’s ADHD pathway professionals are trained in making use of internationally accepted diagnostic tools, including:

• The ADHD neurodevelopmental interview;

• The Test of Everyday Attention for adults and children (TEA, TEA-Ch);

• An intellectual development test that assesses multiple areas of cognitive (thinking) function**;

• Executive Functioning testing

• A structured school or home observation (children only)

Depending on the unique presentation of every person, other recommended tests could be an:

• Occupational Therapy and Sensory profile testing,

• A Speech and Language assessment,

• A Literacy assessment, and

• A personality assessment.

PART B – DISCUSSION, REPORT AND FEEDBACK:

When all the scheduled assessments are completed, the multidisciplinary team (MDT) meets up monthly and discusses the findings of these assessments. During this MDT meeting, the professionals do not only discuss whether the individual meets criteria for ADHD but also identifies whether there are other difficulties in the person’s behaviour or their environment that could better explain their presentation and any difficulties they experience. Furthermore, during the MDT meeting, the strengths and weaknesses of the person being discussed are identified. This gives a holistic picture of the person who is being assessed by the TAASC pathway, which allows TAASC to compile a recommended individually tailored care plan. This is then fed back to the individual and their family by two professionals from TAASC’s ADHD pathway team.

Challenging Behaviour Pathway

PART A - ASSESSMENT:

TAASC’s pathway professionals are trained in making use of these diagnostic tools enabling the multidisciplinary team to reach the most accurate conclusion. These may include:

• The Behaviour Assessment System for Children (BASC) is used to monitor changes in children's behaviour or emotional status.

• Functional Behaviour Assessment

• A structured school or home observation &

• IQ testing** are ideal to complement the diagnostic process. Depending on the unique presentation of every person, other tests may be included such as

• The ABAS (Adaptive Behaviour Assessment System) &

• A Speech and Language Assessment, if necessary

• An Occupational therapy, which may include a sensory profile assessment (if necessary)

PART B - DISCUSSION, REPORT AND FEEDBACK:

The assessment will provide useful, appropriate and sufficient information to assist in the development of a clear clinical formulation. The aim of the clinical formulation is to understand the factors which have led to the development of the behaviours of concern, what causes them and what maintains them. This includes the strengths of the person and their carers and any factors which prevent difficulties arising, for the individual. Once all the assessments are carried out, the multidisciplinary team meets up once a month to discuss a maximum of 5 referred persons who have been assessed through the pathways. During this team meeting, the professionals do not only discuss the functions of challenging behaviour. It also identifies whether the symptoms can be better explained by another disorder or whether there are other co-existing difficulties in the individual or some of their environments that could better explain their presentation. Furthermore, during the team meetings, the strengths and weaknesses of the person being discussed are identified. This gives a holistic picture of the person and from the robust assessment, the team compiles a recommended individually tailored care plan, which is then fed back to the individual and their family by two professionals from TAASC’s pathway team.