The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended the NHS adopt the use of an online test to help speed up the diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.
The QbTest is a computerised test which tracks the movements of participants as it measures three symptoms of ADHD—hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity—which are then compared with data from a control group of children of similar ages and sex who do not have the condition.
Currently, children and young people undergo a detailed assessment to rule out or diagnose the condition. NICE recommends QbTest be used alongside a standard clinical assessment, saying that the technology “should only be used to supplement professional judgement, not replace it.”
Mark Chapman, director of NICE’s HealthTech programme, said: “Children and young people with ADHD deserve to receive a diagnosis in a timely manner. We heard from our patient experts there are challenges with current pathways.
“We’re committed to ensuring we get the best care to people fast while providing value for money to the taxpayer. This technology has the potential to generate tangible benefits to the lives of those waiting for an ADHD diagnosis.”
Henry Shelford, chief executive of ADHD UK, said, “Improving ADHD wait times in the UK is important–especially for children.”
“This technology aids ADHD specialist clinicians and can speed up diagnosis, freeing up time for others to be assessed,” Mr. Shelford added.
Long Waiting Times
Patient experts told NICE’s committee that long wait times was a significant issue, with waits running something into many years.However, Damian Wilde, a consultant clinical psychologist with years of experience working in the NHS and on ADHD assessment teams, is sceptical of placing any part of the assessment process online, highlighting the importance of health care professionals taking the time to develop a deep understanding of what a child is experiencing.
Speaking to The Epoch Times, Mr. Wilde said that while he understands the desire to find ways to bring down these long wait times, assessing for ADHD is complex and that a child displaying inattentiveness and impulsivity does not necessarily mean they have the disorder—but that they could be signs of other issues that need to be explored over time in order for them to be managed or resolved.
“If you are in an exploratory space with a curious practitioner, they can start making statements or asking questions, which are going to yield much richer data,” he said.
“If there is an assessment process taking place for ADHD with a child, with a practitioner or assessment team, there has to be good, warm human relationships. And maybe the online assessment tool takes part of that away,” he added.
Pathologising Normal Behaviour
In March, the NHS set up a task force in response to concerns over the rising demand for ADHD diagnoses, after it was found to be the second-most viewed health condition on the health service’s website last year, after COVID-19.Mr. Wilde told The Epoch Times that it was important that people normalise typical childhood behaviour again, rather than assuming certain behaviours could be a sign of ADHD. The medical professional recalled instances working for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, where occasionally teachers or another professional would remark that a child as young as four was fidgety.
He said: “Let’s stop pathologising everything. That child’s brain is still growing, they’re adapting to their environment. They’re trying to establish peer relationships. They’re trying to figure out their identity, they’re trying to figure out their interests.
“And sometimes, a young person’s attention span is going to be short. Maybe they’re in class, maybe they’re just bored, as well.”
“We need to focus on the individual. That does take time and it takes money and it takes specialist training experience in specialist assessment,” he said.
