Does my child or I have ADHD?
As part of the evaluation process, several scales may be used to see if ADHD symptoms are present. Some can be given in the doctor's office or at school; others can be completed by a parent or by the child.
Examples of parent and teacher rating scales:
- ADHD Rating Scale-V (ADHD-RS-V)9-11
- Child Behavior Checklist/Teacher Report Form12,13
- Conners Rating Scale14
Example of adult rating scales:
- ADHD Rating Scale-IV (ADHD-RS-IV) with adult prompts15
- Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Symptom Checklist16
References:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Symptoms and Diagnosis of ADHD. 2020. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/diagnosis.html. Accessed June 7, 2020.
- American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
- Healthy Children. Diagnosing ADHD in Children: Guidelines & Information for Parents. 2017. Available at https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/adhd/Pages/Diagnosing-ADHD-in-Children-Guidelines-Information-for-Parents.aspx. Accessed June 7, 2020.
- Medicine Net. Inattention: Symptoms & Signs. Available at https://www.medicinenet.com/inattention/symptoms.htm. Accessed June 7, 2020.
- Medline Plus. Hyperactivity. Available at https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003256.htm.
- Medicine Net. Medical Definition of Impulsivity. Available at https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=22330. Accessed June 7, 2020.
- Medicine Net. Medical Definition of Symptom. Available at https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=5610. Accessed June 7, 2020.
- Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD). Diagnosing ADHD in Adults. 2020. Available at https://chadd.org/for-adults/diagnosis-of-adhd-in-adults/. Accessed June 7, 2020.
- DuPaul GJ. Parent and teacher ratings of ADHD symptoms: Psychometric properties in a community-based sample. J Clin Child Psychol. 1991; 20:242.
- DuPaul GJ, Power TJ, Anastopoulos AD, Reid R. ADHD Rating Scale-IV: Checklists, Norms, and Clinical Interpretation. New York: The Guilford Press; 1998.
- DuPaul GJ, Power TJ, Anastopoulos AD, Reid R. ADHD Rating Scale-V: Checklists, Norms, and Clinical Interpretation. New York: The Guilford Press; 2016.
- Achenbach TM. Manual for the Child Behavior Checklist. University of Vermont: Department of Psychiatry; Burlington, 1991.
- Achenbach TM. Manual for the Teachers Report Form. University of Vermont: Department of Psychiatry; Burlington, 1991.
- Conners CK. Conners 3rd Edition. Toronto: Multi-Health Systems, Inc; 2008.
- Adult ADHD-RS-IV with Adult Prompts. Available at https://www.qandadhd.com/Content/pdf/ADHD-RS-IV_Tear-Pad-with-Adult-Prompts.pdf. Accessed June 7, 2020.
- Attention Deficit Disorder Association. Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1) Symptom Checklist. Available at https://add.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/adhd-questionnaire-ASRS111.pdf. Accessed June 7, 2020.