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Standardized Tests for ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is a behavioral and cognitive condition. According to the article “ADD/ADHD Test and Diagnosis” published by the ADD Coach Academy, its characteristics are impulsivity, inattention and hyperactivity; Professionals look for persistence and pervasiveness of these symptoms. They use standardized tests to arrive at a proper diagnosis for children and adults.

  1. The Vanderbilt Assessment Scale

    • The Vanderbilt Assessment Scale evaluates children’s symptoms of ADHD such as difficulties paying attention, following instructions, organizing tasks and activities or listening when spoken to directly. It also has questions regarding anxiety levels, depression, aggressiveness, embarrassment or excessive guilt. All of these symptoms are measured on a scale from 0 (behavior is never present) to 4 (behavior is present very often). The assessment also measures academic performance in math, reading and writing as well as such classroom behavior as relationship with peers and disrupting class on a scale from 1 (excellent) to 5 (problematic).

    The Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC)

    • The Assessment System for Children evaluates external problems such as hyperactivity and aggression, problems such as anxiety and depression as well as attention and learning problems. These behaviors are categorized as very low, low, average, at risk or clinically significant. It also shows an adaptive scale that measures adaptability, social skills, leadership and study skills using the same categories.

    Child Behavior Checklist/ Teacher Report

    • The article “Symptoms Defined by Parents and Teachers Ratings in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder” published by the Canadian Psychiatric Association uses the Child Behavior Checklist/Teacher Report to compare patients with ADHD to a control group on symptoms such as social withdrawal, aggressive behavior, social problems, thought problems, somatic complaints and delinquency. Low scores represent more adaptable behavior while high scores represent more problematic behavior.

    Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS V1.1) Symptom Checklist

    • A sample of the “Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS V1.1) Symptom Checklist” shows a table with 18 questions which address the frequency of behaviors such as fidgeting, getting distracted, procrastinating, interrupting, talking excessively or finishing projects. The scale evaluates whether the behavior never occurs or happens rarely, sometimes, often or very often. This scale helps professionals decide whether more clinical review is necessary before prescribing treatment for adults with ADHD.

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