Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale

Each question can be answered on a five item Likert scale, based on a scale of frequency ranging from "Never" to "Very Often". Answers are scored as either positive or negative and the threshold is different for individual questions. Answers of "Never" and "Rarely" are always scored negative, answers of "Often and Very Often" are always scored positive, and answers of "Sometimes" are scored positively in only seven of the eighteen questions. Four or more positive answers in Part A is indicative of ADHD symptoms.

The Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Reporting Rating Scale (ASRS) is composed of 18 questions, and uses a scale that ranges from 0-4 based on the individuals mark in either the "never, rarely, sometimes, often, very often" column for a possible total score of 72. Each column is used to describe the severity of the individuals symptoms based on the question asked. The participant is asked to make a mark within one column for each question that best describes their answer.[13] The questions are split up into 2 separate parts; Part A consists of questions 1-6 and Part B consists of questions 7-18. If four or more answers are scored “positive” then a high consistency of ADHD is indicated and further follow up with a licensed clinician is necessary.[13] Positive scores in Part B can be further identifying cues of the individuals symptoms.[13]

There have been studies done to test the validity and reliability of the ASRS by comparing results of participants that were diagnosed with childhood ADHD, after completing the self reporting on their own and then were subsequently tested with a clinician. There was high correlation between the grouped symptoms (hyperactivity/impulsiveness and inattentiveness) when comparing the administration results of the tests.[10] After an experiment with 60 adults whom completed the self rating scale and whose results were compared to their ratings with an administered ADHD rating scale, the results showed that the self rating scale has a high internal reliability and also validity.[10]

The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale is only applicable for adults with diagnosed or undiagnosed ADHD. A positive screening is not a proper diagnosis, but an indication that the adult should seek a healthcare professional for further analysis.[11] Although the 6 question ASRS screener can be effective in diagnosing ADHD in adults and can be completed quickly, it can not rule out other medical conditions that could be impacting the diagnosis of ADHD.[12] Some symptoms of ADHD do contain some overlap with other mental disorders that are not tested for within the ASRS.[14] Other limitations such as paying attention to possible comorbid conditions and history of the individual, (such as substance abuse issues), need to be considered when comparing their results to the scale. Keeping in mind that the symptoms must be ongoing, these symptoms can not be considered indicators of ADHD if they've only been present for the past few months or even years.[1]

• Kessler, Ronald C.; Adler, Lenard A.; Gruber, Michael J.; Sarawate, Chaitanya A.; Spencer, Thomas; Van Brunt, David L. (June 2007). "Validity of the World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Screener in a representative sample of health plan members". International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research. 16 (2): 52–65. doi:10.1002/mpr.208. PMC 2044504. PMID 17623385.