ADHD Checklist | ADHD Assessment

The DSM-IV criteria for ADHD as listed under the section "ADHD Symptoms" was not created with adults in mind. It was meant for children and teenagers. For adults who think they may have ADHD|ADD, they can use a self-assessment screening tool to determine quite accurately whether they are suffering from this behavioural disorder.

This ADHD checklist, or ADHD assessment tool as some prefer to call it, is known as Adult Self-Report Scale (ASRS). It was developed by a team of ADHD experts led by Ron Kessler of Harvard and Len Adler of NYU in collaboration with the World Health Organisation. It is, however, only a screening tool and NOT a definitive diagnostic test.

Although the ASRS comprised only 6 questions, this brief screener for adults is quite accurate. How accurate, you ask? Well, 80% of adults who garnered a positive score turned out to be ADHD positive when they underwent a full-scale diagnosis.

However, for those who garnered a negative score, it does not mean that they do not have ADHD because the ASRS is only 70% sensitive. In laymen's terms, it means that in a random sample of adults, the ASRS is capable of picking up only 70% of the genuine cases. So, if you garnered a negative score but still believe you have ADHD, then by all means go for a full diagnosis because you may be the 30% which the ASRS had missed.

The Adult Self-Report Scale (ASRS) test is as follow:

Before continuing reading, go ahead and do the test now. Tick the column which best describes your condition. For example, if your answer for question 1 is "sometimes", then give that column under "sometimes" a tick.

Alright, now for the score. Here goes:-

1. For questions 1, 2 and 3, if you have answered "Sometimes", "Often" or "Very Often", give yourself one point for each. This means, if you score, say "sometimes" for question 1, and "often" for question 2 and 3, you now have 3 points. What if you answered "Never" or "Rarely" for questions 1-3? No points!

2. For questions 4,5, and 6, if you answered "Often" or "Very Often", give yourself one point each. No points are awarded if you had answered "Never", "Rarely" or "Sometimes" in this case.

3. Now total up all the points.

4. If your total is 4 and above, you are said to have a Positive Score. If the total is 3 and below, it is considered a Negative Score.

If you have a positive score and are ready to undergo a full diagnosis, do go and see a doctor who is very experienced with ADHD. Select the doctor based on his EXPERIENCE and not the number of degree/s he possesses. Do ask around your circle of friends, relatives, colleagues, etc for a referral. Going to the right doctor is important because many doctors are not experts in this field and thus may give you a wrong diagnosis and medication - which can be dangerous at times depending on the severity of your problem.

In general, child psychiatrists have the most training in ADHD, and most of them do treat adults too! Adult psychiatrists generally do not have much training in ADHD. Some family doctors and internists are also good with ADHD.

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