MHM Magazine

Issue 5 | 2022 | MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS | 17 MHM multidisciplinary approach is considered best practice to ensure the individual can get the correct support to reach their full potential. A multidisciplinary team can ensure a thorough evaluation and may consist of a variety of professions that can assist from both a conservative and medical approach. GPs are often the first point of contact for families seeking diagnosis or treatment. It may be dauting to offer a diagnosis without additional ADHD-specific training. In addition, as a doctor, it may be challenging to identify which colleagues should form part of the diagnostic process and multidisciplinary team. Based on your initial assessment you may be aiming to rule out conditions which mimic ADHD (thus ruling out ADHD as a diagnosis) or colleagues who can provide collateral information to confirm a diagnosis. In considering referral, the following professionals can play an important role to support you and your patient. PSYCHIATRIST Due to extensive training, a psychiatrist will be able to confidently diagnose ADHD, prescribe medication, and provide basic counselling regarding lifestyle changes and empower parents with relevant information when confronting a new diagnosis. They will also be able to diagnose and treat any other underlying co-morbid psychiatric conditions. Is it always recommended to refer to a psychiatrist should you be facing a complicated case when co-morbidity is suspected or when patients have predisposing factors which make medicating challenging. OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST (OT) Individuals with ADHD often struggle with a wide range of difficulties across most areas of life. This ranges from school, to family, mental health, work, and finances. People with ADHD may have challenges with time management, planning and organisational skills and being able to focus. An OT can assist patients of all ages to identify and manage physical, sensory, or cognitive difficulties and help them to independence and improve confidence using everyday activities, and exercises and other therapies. An OT can help someone with ADHD in areas such as time management, organisational skills, general executive functioning skills and many more. PSYCHOLOGISTS Psychologists can play a very important role in managing ADHD. As a doctor, you can refer a patient to a clinical, counselling, or educational psychologist for a comprehensive psychoeducational assessment to determine whether there are any learning difficulties and/or provide evidence for a diagnosis of ADHD. Additionally, psychologists can provide emotional support through psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and family and couple’s therapy AUDIOLOGISTS The symptomatic presentation of hearing and auditory processing difficulties could also mimic ADHD-like symptoms. For example, children who are unable to hear may appear distracted or become restless in class as they are not able to follow what is going on. It’s helpful to send a patient, especially a child, for a full audiology assessment to determine whether there are underlying auditory issues that may be contributing to challenges such as following or understanding instructions, academic difficulties and finding it challenging to follow social situations. Identifying or ruling out physical hearing or auditory processing problems before making a diagnosis, is very helpful. OPTOMETRISTS Visual and visual processing difficulties may also present like symptoms suggestive of ADHD, especially in children. A child that can’t see correctly may struggle to concentrate or may avoid reading and writing tasks because it’s too challenging. A child who is unable to see the board in the classroom may become bored or fidgety, lose track of what’s being taught and miss out on fundamental skills. This may look like ADHD, when in fact the child requires spectacles or visual therapy. DIETICIANS Following a healthy diet is an important part of management of ADHD. Children with sensory related issues can be fussy when it comes to food, so it’s important to ensure they’re getting the right nutrients. It’s useful, as a medical professional to also investigate nutritional deficiencies, such a low iron levels which can make an individual fatigued and may affect concentration levels. Medication may also interfere with appetite and therefore it’s important to ensure the individual is eating a well-balanced diet. While we know that dietary changes don’t “cure” ADHD, avoiding certain food and additives can help in decreasing the intensity of some symptoms. PLAY THERAPIST A qualified play therapist can assist with the emotional and behavioural difficulties that children with ADHD often experience. Play therapy provides a platform for children to express themselves in a way they feel comfortable, through play, a child’s language. TEACHERS Although their contribution is often underrated, teachers are an imperative in the management of a child with ADHD at school. They can assist with creating structure around activities within the school environment.