Psychiatrist

Child and adolescent psychiatrists treat children and young people up to the age of 18 with a range of mental health conditions. They work in a large multidisciplinary team, alongside your family, your child's teachers and other specialists such as paediatricians.

How you get to see one: by referral referral When a professional passes your child on to a specialist team for assessment or treatment. A GP, school or health visitor can usually make one. Read the full definition of referral , usually through your GP GP Your family doctor. For many families the GP is the first person to talk to, and the person who refers your child on to a specialist. Read the full definition of GP or through a child and adolescent mental health service. Some areas route neurodevelopmental assessments to paediatrics instead, so you may never meet a psychiatrist even for ADHD.

Can they diagnose? Yes. NICE NICE guidelines Expert advice that tells the NHS how to assess and treat health conditions. It is used in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but not Scotland. Read the full definition of NICE guidelines names specialist psychiatrists as one of the professions who can diagnose ADHD ADHD ADHD is a difference in the way a child's brain works. It affects how they pay attention, how much energy they have, and how easily they act on impulse. Read the full definition of ADHD , and psychiatrists are qualified to carry out every part of an autism assessment. As doctors, they can start ADHD medicine.

What to ask: whether they specialise in children, whether they have training in neurodivergence Neurodivergent Neurodivergent means a brain that works in its own way, not the way most people expect. Autistic people, and people with ADHD or dyslexia, are all neurodivergent. Read the full definition of Neurodivergent , and if medicine is discussed, who will monitor and prescribe it afterwards.