Services

CAMHS Disability

We are a specialist team supporting children and young people and their families with:

  • Disabilities and emotional, behavioural or mental health concerns.
  • Learning or intellectual disabilities.
  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
  • Based at Hackney Ark, our team includes psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, play specialists and family therapists.

We meet with families to think together about concerns, understand them better and work on agreed goals for positive change. Working with other professionals, such as community paediatricians, we think about the child’s needs, skills, behaviour, emotions and development within the context of the family in order to plan diagnosis and treatment. We use our expertise in biological and medical factors, alongside a range of psychological, social and other factors, to confirm a mental health diagnosis and prescribe medication where appropriate.

We meet with children and young people at regular times in the most appropriate setting for their need. We also support family members to understand why their child’s development is not the same as others’, their diagnosis, and its impact on the whole family. Enabling family members to express and explore thoughts and emotions safely, understanding each other’s experiences and views can help families to appreciate each other’s needs, strengthen resources and work together to make useful changes in their relationships.

Neuro-developmental disorders

We provide specialist assessments and treatment for specific disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

See our leaflet for more information about the ASD assessment process.

View Leaflet

Group work and support for families

Group work offers a chance to meet other people in similar situations, learn skills and share experiences. We run a wide variety of groups, tailored to different issues and age ranges, including informal coffee mornings, parenting support programmes and groups for siblings.

Listen to children and young people talk about our siblings group.

Eligibility

We accept children and young people aged 0-18, registered with a GP in City and Hackney with:

  • Both a disability and emotional or mental health needs
  • A disability that has been assessed as requiring specialist support
  • Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) if there is also a moderate or profound learning disability and the child’s care is being coordinated through Hackney Ark.
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Access our service

As a specialist service, we only accept referrals from a health and care professional who knows the child and family, using the SPA referral form.

SPA Referral form

Contact

CAMHS Disability

  • 020 7014 7071 (9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday)
  • CAMHS Disability, Hackney Ark, Downs Park Road, London, E8 2FP