https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/wards-and-departments/departments/clinical-specialties/department-child-and-adolescent-mental-health-dcamh/the-tic-service/referrals-1/
For Professionals
Comprehensive assessment
This is a detailed assessment which will be carried out with members of our team to gain a full understanding of what the current difficulties are, and to screen for any neurodevelopmental or mental health difficulties.
During the assessment, a detailed interview will be carried out led by Psychiatrists, Psychologists and other members of our team. As we work closely with local community services, we may invite external professionals from local teams to join the assessment.
Once the assessment is complete, we will write a detailed letter describing the assessment and recommendations. This will be sent to the young person’s family, referring team and their GP.
Interventions we offer
We aim to offer all interventions in collaboration with the young person’s local child and adolescent mental health team (CAMHS). Depending on the specific needs identified at the assessment, interventions may include a range of therapeutic approaches and/or medication, if appropriate.
We accept referrals for young people from all over the UK. If a child lives a long distance away, and requires specialist mental health treatments, we will recommend local treatment. We can consider flexible packages of shared care depending on the needs of the child, including consultation, joint working and telemedicine. The Tics Service always works very closely and in collaboration with local services within a shared care model.
Interventions that may be provided will be evidence-based, short and intensive to achieve the maximum effect. They will be tailored to the young person’s needs.
The Tics Service currently offers the following interventions:
- group psychoeducation session on tics and Tourette syndrome
- group psychoeducation session on tic attacks, functional tics and tic-like movements
- behavioural therapies for young people with tics using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) or Habit Reversal Therapy (HRT); these could be provided within a group or delivered individually.
- medication recommendations to local treating teams
- cognitive assessments to understand a child’s learning strengths and challenges
- specialist follow-on assessments such as assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), where judged to be a clinical priority in the management of tics.
- school consultation: to discuss strategies to best support young people with tics in the classroom