The ASRS v1.1 is a tool to help screen for ADHD in an adult. Information obtained from this questionnaire may indicate the need for a more in-depth clinical interview.
The ASRS v1.1 questions are consistent with DSM-IV criteria and address the manifestations of ADHD symptoms in adults. The questionnaire content also reflects the importance that the DSM-IV places on symptoms, impairments, and history for a correct diagnosis.
This questionnaire is composed of eighteen criteria
of the DSM-IV-TR.
It is composed of 2 parts:
Part A consists of six of the eighteen questions that have been shown to be most predictive of symptoms consistent with ADHD. They form the basis of the ASRS v1.1 screening
If four or more of the marks appear in the dark boxes in Part A, this indicates symptoms strongly consistent with adult ADHD and warrants further investigation.
The frequency scores in Part B provide additional clues and can serve as additional probes into the patient's symptoms. Pay particular attention to the marks in the dark boxes.
The Importance of Screening for ADHD in Adults
Research suggests that ADHD symptoms can persist into adulthood, significantly impacting the relationships, careers, and even personal safety of those who suffer from it.
Because this disorder is often misunderstood, many people with it do not receive proper treatment and, as a result, never reach their full potential. Part of the problem is the difficulty in diagnosing this disorder, especially in adults.
The Adult ADHD Self-Rating Scale (ASRS-v1.1) was developed in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) Working Group on Adult ADHD, comprising the following team of psychiatrists and researchers:
Lenard Adler, MD
Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology
New York University School of Medicine
Ronald C. Kessler, PhD
Professor, Department of Health Policy
Harvard Medical School
Thomas Spencer, MD
Associate Professor of Psychiatry
Harvard Medical School