Several different rating scales for ADHD exist. They can measure ADHD symptoms and quality of life. The assessments differ in length, and some can be taken by an observer.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), it is estimated that
If you believe you may have ADHD, your doctor may have you fill out rating scales. Several rating scales exist, but not all are appropriate for adults. Here is a list of different scales you may be asked to complete.
Screeners are used to help your doctor make a diagnosis.
It is important to note that these tests are subjective, as they rely on your perception. Thus, it is recommended that someone close to you also fill out the form. This outside perspective can help give your doctor a more objective view.
ADHD Rating Scale IV (ADHD-RS-IV) with adult prompts
The ADHD-RS-IV with adult prompts measures ADHD symptoms based on frequency and severity. This scale is based on the DSM-IV.
It has 18 questions, half evaluating inattentive symptoms and the other half hyperactive-impulsive symptoms. Your answers are scored on a 4-point scale ranging from 0 (never) to 3 (often).
Adult ADHD Clinical Diagnostic Scale (ACDS) v1.2
The ACDS provides information on current adult symptoms of ADHD. Like the ADHD-RS-IV, the ACDS is 18 questions long.
The ACDS is based on a semi-structured clinical interview, meaning there is a set list of questions going in, but the interviewer can ask follow-up questions and incorporate more conversational elements. This allows for increased understanding of your experiences as an individual.
Adult ADHD Investigator Rating Scale (AISRS)
Like the ACDS, the AISRS is also based on a semi-structured clinical interview. This scale is used to evaluate symptoms both at baseline and during treatment.
Like the ADHD-RS-IV, it consists of 18 questions: half concerning inattentive symptoms and the other half concerning hyperactive-impulsive symptoms. Scoring is based on a 4-point scale from 0 (none) to 3 (severe).
Adult ASRS symptom checklist v1.1
The ASRS symptom checklist is an initial self-assessment tool, so your doctor may ask you to complete other scales. However, if you suspect you have ADHD, you may find it helpful to complete it before talking with your doctor.
It consists of 18 questions.
There are two other scales related to the ASRS symptom checklist:
- Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) v1.1: The ASRS self-report scale is a subset of the ADHD ASRS symptom checklist. It is just six questions long: 4 for inattentive symptoms and 2 for hyperactive-impulsive symptoms. The questions are scored based on the frequency of symptoms.
- Adult ADHD SelfReport Screening Scale for DSM-5 (ASRS DSM-5) screener: The ASRS DSM-5 was created to serve as an update to ASRS. Like the ASRS, it functions as a self-report. Like the ASRS, it is six questions long. The questions are scored on a 5-point scale from 0 (never) to 4 (very often).
Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11)
The BIS-11 is used to measure impulsiveness.
Like the ASRS, it is a self-report. It consists of 30 questions, and they are scored on a 4-point scale from 1 (rarely/never) to 4 (almost always/always).
Clinical Global Impression (CGI)
The CGI is observer-rated, meaning someone else will fill out the form on your behalf.
It comprises just three questions. One measures illness severity, the second measures global improvement or change, and the last measures therapeutic response.
Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale (BADDS) for adults
The BADDS can be part of a self-report or a clinical interview. It is a bit longer, consisting of 40 items spanning five symptom areas:
- activation
- attention
- effort
- affect
- memory
The BADDS asks about:
- clinical history
- work and/or school functioning
- leisure
- mood
- sensitivity to criticism
The scoring is based on a 4-point frequency scale from 0 (never) to 3 (almost daily).
Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS)
The CAARS gauges the presence and severity of ADHD symptoms.
There are self-report and observer rating forms. There are also different lengths of forms available. It consists of 26 questions for the short form, 66 for the long form, and 30 for the screening.
Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults (DIVA) 2.0
The DIVA consists of three parts:
- attention deficit
- hyperactivity-impulsivity
- age of onset and impairment
The form is based on a semi-structured clinical interview. It usually takes around 1 to 1.5 hours to complete.
Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS)
The WURS full assessment consists of 61 questions about an adult’s childhood behavior, and the subset is 25 questions long.
The questions are scored based on a 5-point scale from 0 (not at all or very slightly) to 4 (very much).
If you know you have ADHD, quality-of-life screeners can help you measure its impact on your daily life.
The results from these screeners can give your doctor additional insight and may help them adjust focus areas in your treatment, if needed.
Adult ADHD Quality of Life Measure (AAQoL)
The AAQoL contains 29 questions. In it, there are four separate subscale scores:
- productivity
- life outlook
- relationships
- psychological health
The scoring is based on a 5-point Likert-type scale based on the frequency of occurrence. Lower scores indicate greater impairment in functioning.
Driving Behavior Survey (DBS)
The DBS is a 21-item scale that measures the frequency of anxious driving behavior.
There are three categories in this survey:
- exaggerated safety/caution behavior
- anxiety-based performance deficits
- hostile/aggressive behavior
Scoring is based on a 7-point scale from 1 (never) to 7 (always), with higher scores indicating a greater frequency of anxious behavior.
Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire General Health (WPAI:GH) V2.0
The WPAI:GH has 6 questions and evaluates different categories, including:
- absenteeism (work time missed)
- presenteeism (impairment at work/reduced on-the-job effectiveness)
- work productivity loss (overall work impairment/absenteeism plus presenteeism)
- activity impairment
There are several ADHD rating scales, and they can serve different purposes.
Many of the scales are used to screen for ADHD and involve rating symptoms. However, some scales can be administered to measure the quality of life in individuals with ADHD.
If you are interested in taking any of these assessments, talk with your doctor. They can determine whether you need to take one and whether there is a more appropriate assessment you can take with your individual needs in mind.