Digital tools like smartphone apps and wearable devices have the potential to improve how we measure and track mental health symptoms and behaviours. They also have the potential to improve and speed up the diagnosis of condition, compared to more traditional questionnaire-based methods.
ADHD is an example of an area where there are often long waiting lists for diagnosis and treatment. Currently, more than 30% of children and young people wait over a year for an NHS ADHD assessment. Our research has shown that technology can help clinicians make diagnostic decisions over 40% faster.
ADHD Remote Technology and Transition: The teenage years can be tough for young people with ADHD. This stage of life often brings big changes, like finishing school, starting work, or moving out. It’s also a time when conditions like depression, substance use, or delinquency often begin. These new challenges and fewer support networks can leave young people with ADHD especially vulnerable.
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ADHD is a common condition that can significantly affect a child’s education and future if not diagnosed and managed promptly. In the UK, ADHD diagnosis often takes too long due to reliance on input from parents, teachers, and clinicians, contributing to long waiting lists and delays.
Professor Maddie Groom is a Professor of Applied Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience and is co-lead of the Children and Young People’s theme.
Professor Ellen Townsend leads the Self-Harm Research Group (SHRG) within the School of Psychology at the University of Nottingham.