Harold Robert Meyer | The ADD Resource Center Reviewed 10/25/2025 Published 10/27/2025
Listen to understand, rather than to react.
- Important Medical Disclaimer
- This content is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare provider.
- Accuracy While we make every effort to ensure the information is accurate and up-to-date, we cannot guarantee its completeness or accuracy. Errors or omissions may occur, and readers are encouraged to verify information independently.
- Consult a Professional Always consult your healthcare provider (HCP) before making any decisions or taking any actions related to your health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.
- A Note on Screeners Please remember that any “screener” or self-assessment mentioned is not a diagnostic tool. It is only a preliminary guide. Regardless of your results, it is essential to seek a full evaluation from your HCP, especially if you have any health concerns.
Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1)
Age Range: Adults (18+ years) Developed by WHO, this 18-item screening tool assesses ADHD symptoms in adults based on DSM criteria. Available in multiple languages, including Spanish, French, German, Japanese, and many others. Designed for self-administration and takes about 5 minutes. Free to use and available online. Can be self-interpreted using provided scoring guidelines, though clinical confirmation is recommended. Part A (6 items) serves as a brief screener, while Part B provides additional symptom assessment.
Conners Rating Scales (3rd Edition)
Age Range: Children/Adolescents (6-18 years), Adults (18+ years with Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scales). A Comprehensive assessment system with versions for parents, teachers, and self-report (ages 6-18). Available in multiple languages, including Spanish, French, and German. Some versions allow self-administration (adolescent self-report). Requires purchase through MHS or Pearson. Professional interpretation strongly recommended due to complex scoring. Includes full-length and short forms, plus validity scales to detect response bias.
Vanderbilt Assessment Scales
Age Range: Children (6-12 years). Parent and teacher rating forms focusing on ADHD symptoms and common comorbidities in children ages 6-12. Available in Spanish and some other languages. Can be completed independently by parents/teachers. Free to use and publicly available. Scoring can be done by non-professionals using clear guidelines, though clinical interpretation adds value. Includes screens for anxiety, depression, and oppositional behaviors.
Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Scales (Brown ADD Scales)
Age Range: Preschool (3-7 years), Children/Adolescents (8-18 years), Adults (18+ years) Assesses executive function impairments associated with ADHD across age groups (3+ years). Available in multiple languages. Self-report versions available for adolescents and adults. Requires purchase through Pearson. Professional interpretation recommended for comprehensive analysis. Focuses on executive functioning rather than just DSM symptoms.
ADHD Rating Scale-5 (ADHD-RS-5)
Age Range: Children/Adolescents (5-17 years), Adults (18+ years with adult version) 18-item scale directly based on DSM-5 criteria with home and school versions. Available in several languages, including Spanish. Completed by parents/teachers or clinicians through an interview. Requires purchase through Guilford Press. Can be scored by trained professionals or researchers using manual guidelines. Provides both dimensional scores and symptom counts.
Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC-3)
Age Range: Preschool (2-5 years), Children/Adolescents (6-21 years). Comprehensive behavioral and emotional assessment with ADHD components. Available in Spanish. Includes self-report for ages 8+, plus parent/teacher forms. Requires purchase through Pearson. Professional interpretation is necessary due to complexity. Assesses multiple domains beyond ADHD, including emotional and behavioral functioning.
Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS)
Age Range: Adults (18+ years) – retrospective assessment of childhood symptoms. Retrospective assessment of childhood ADHD symptoms in adults, 61-item self-report. Available in multiple languages including German, Italian, and Spanish. Self-administered questionnaire. Free for clinical use, may require permission for research. Can be self-scored using cutoff scores, though clinical interpretation is recommended. Useful for assessing childhood symptom history in adult evaluations.
Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Questionnaire (SNAP-IV)
Age Range: Children/Adolescents (6-18 years) 26 or 90-item rating scale based on DSM criteria for ADHD and ODD. Available in multiple languages. Parent and teacher ratings, not self-report. Free and publicly available. A simple scoring system allows non-professional scoring, and clinical interpretation is beneficial. Includes subscales for inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and oppositional symptoms.
Clinical Assessment of Attention Deficit (CAT)
Age Range: Children (8-18 years), Adults (19-79 years). Multi-dimensional assessment for children and adults with separate forms. Primarily English, with limited translations. Includes self-report options for adolescents/adults. Requires purchase through PAR. Professional administration and interpretation required. Includes clinical interview, behavior rating, and context questionnaires.
Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA)
Age Range: Children/Adolescents (4-17 years), Adults (18+ years) – Computer-based continuous performance test measuring attention and impulsivity. Language-neutral (uses geometric shapes). Requires supervised administration. Requires the purchase of software and hardware. Professional interpretation is necessary. Provides objective performance data to supplement rating scales, takes about 20 minutes.
Quick Reference Checklist
Free Tools:
- ASRS-v1.1 – Adults (18+) – Self-admin, multiple languages, self-interpret
- Vanderbilt Scales – Children (6-12) – Parent/teacher, Spanish available, simple scoring
- WURS – Adults (18+) – Self-admin, multiple languages, self-score possible
- SNAP-IV – Children/Teens (6-18) – Parent/teacher, multiple languages, simple scoring
Commercial Tools (Fee Required):
- Conners-3 – Ages 6-18, Adults separate – Comprehensive, multiple languages, professional interpretation
- Brown ADD Scales – Ages 3+ – Executive function focus, professional interpretation
- ADHD-RS-5 – Ages 5-17, Adults separate – DSM-5 based, structured, professional scoring
- BASC-3 – Ages 2-21 – Comprehensive behavioral, Spanish, professional required
- CAT – Ages 8-79 – Multi-dimensional, professional required
- TOVA – Ages 4+ – Objective performance test, language-neutral, professional required
Key Considerations by Age:
- Preschool (2-5): Limited options – BASC-3, Brown ADD (3+)
- Children (6-12): Most tools available – Vanderbilt ideal for screening
- Adolescents (13-17): Can use self-report versions of some scales
- Adults (18+): ASRS-v1.1 for screening, WURS for childhood history
- Professional interpretation recommended even when self-scoring is possible
- Combine rating scales with performance measures for a comprehensive assessment
More on adhd screeners and tests, click > https://www.addrc.org/category/screening/
Important Medical Disclaimer
This content is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare provider.
Accuracy While we make every effort to ensure the information is accurate and up-to-date, we cannot guarantee its completeness or accuracy. Errors or omissions may occur, and readers are encouraged to verify information independently.
Consult a Professional Always consult your healthcare provider (HCP) before making any decisions or taking any actions related to your health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.
A Note on Screeners Please remember that any “screener” or self-assessment mentioned is not a diagnostic tool. It is only a preliminary guide. Regardless of your results, it is essential to seek a full evaluation from your HCP, especially if you have any health concerns.
In the USA and Canada, you can call or text 9-8-8 for free, 24/7 mental health and suicide prevention support. Trained crisis responders provide bilingual, trauma-informed, and culturally appropriate care. The ADD Resource Center is independent from this service and is not liable for any actions taken by you or the 988 service. Many other countries offer similar support services.
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Content is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice.
