ASRS

v1.1 Sheet V1.1

ASRS Technical
Self-reported screening questionnaire for ADHD in adults
(attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder)

Material compiled by Psychologist Carlos Alvarez

ASRS-V1.1 Adapted version Original

Name Self-Report Scale The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale

Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Version 1.1

Author Pedrero-Pérez EJ, Puerta-García C. Kessler RC, Adler L, Ames M, Demler O,

Faraone S, Hiripi E, Howes MJ, Jin R,
Secnik K, Spencer T, Ustun TB, Walters
EE et al.

Reference The ASRS v.1.1. as a screening
instrument for attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder in adults
treated for addictive behaviors:
psychometric properties and
estimated prevalence. Addictions,
2007, 19 (4): 393-408, 54
The World Health Organization Adult
ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS): A Short
Screening Scale for Use in the General
Population. Psychological Medicine.
2005 Psychological Medicine, 35, 245-
256.

Corresponde Eduardo J. Pedrero. Drug Addiction

nce Care Center CAD-4-San Blas.
Addictions Institute. City of Madrid. C/
Alcalá, 527. 28027 MADRID.
ejpedrero@yahoo.es

Characteristics

• Instrument type: Structured •

Administration type: Self-applied
• Population: Adults

• Number of items: short version 6 and long version 18

 ASRS
• Administration time: <= 10 min.
v1.1

• Therapeutic area: Neuropsychological evaluation

ADHD symptoms
Several
Screening

The value of screening for adults with ADHD

Research suggests that ADHD symptoms can persist into adulthood and have a significant impact on
the personal relationships, career paths, and even personal safety of patients with the disorder.
Because this disorder is often not well understood, many people who suffer from it do not receive
proper treatment and, as a result, never reach their full potential. Part of the problem is that it can
be difficult to diagnose, particularly in adults.

The Adult ADHD Self-Report Screening Questionnaire (ASRS v1.1) and rating system were developed
jointly with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Working Group on Adult ADHD, which
included the following team of psychiatrists and researchers:

• Dr. Lenard Adler Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology New York University
Medical School
• Dr. Ronald Kessler Professor, Department of Health Policy Harvard Medical School
• Dr. Thomas Spencer Assistant Professor of Psychiatry Harvard Medical School

As a healthcare professional, you can use ASRS v1.1 as a tool to help you detect ADHD in adult
patients. What is learned through this evaluation may suggest the need for a more detailed clinical
interview. The questions contained in the ASRS v1.1 match the DSM-IV criteria and address the
manifestations of ADHD symptoms in adults. The content of the questionnaire also reflects the
importance that the DSM-IV gives to symptoms, disabilities, and history in obtaining a correct
diagnosis.

The questionnaire takes less than 10 minutes to complete and can provide complementary
information that is crucial for the correct diagnostic process.

Are you an adult and suffer from ADHD?

Many adults have Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (Adult ADHD) and don't realize it.
Because? Because many times its symptoms are confused with those of living with stress. If you've
had this type of frustration most of your life, you may have adult-onset ADHD—a condition your
doctor can diagnose and treat.

The following questionnaire can be used as a starting point to help you recognize the
signs/symptoms of adult ADHD but is not intended to replace consultation with a medical
professional. An exact diagnosis can only be reached after a clinical evaluation. Regardless of the
results of the questionnaire, if you have any questions about the diagnosis or treatment of adult
ADHD, consult your doctor or psychologist.
 ASRS
Description and interpretation: v1.1
The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale Version 1.1 (ASRS v.1.1) is an 18-item questionnaire that measures
current symptoms of ADHD in the adult population over 18 years of age, developed by the working
group of the World Health Organization in conjunction with version of the WHO Composite
International Diagnostic Interview (WMH-CIDI).

The items ask about the presence of symptoms during the 6 months prior to the evaluation (Kessler
at al., 2005b). The first 6 items make up the screening version for the rapid detection of symptoms
suggestive of ADHD in adults. The first 4 items investigate symptoms of inattention and the last two
of hyperactivity and the first three from “sometimes” to “very frequently” and the last three from
“frequently” to “very frequently” are considered criterion scores.

They are scored on a scale of 5 options (never, rarely, sometimes, frequently and very frequently)
and a cut-off or criterial score is estimated for each item, from which the item is considered positive
(score 1). and below which it is considered negative (score 0). This cut-off point is located at the
third value (sometimes) for items 1, 2, 3, 9, 12, 16 and 18, and at the fourth and fifth value
(Frequently and very frequently) for the rest. Scores can also be treated as a continuous scale
between 0 (Never) and 4 (Very Often).

Four responses in criterion scores are considered suggestive of the existence of ADHD in adults.

Instructions

The following self-reported screening questionnaire V1.1 (ASRS-V1.1) is for adults 18 years and older
and can be used as a starting point to help you recognize the signs/symptoms of ADHD but is not
intended to replace consultation with a professional. of medicine or psychology. An exact diagnosis
can only be reached after a clinical evaluation. Regardless of the results of the questionnaire, if you
have any questions about the diagnosis or treatment of adult ADHD, consult your doctor or
psychologist.

Check the box that best describes the way you have felt and behaved in the last 6 months. Assign
the following numbers by frequency:

• 0 = never,
• 1 = rarely,

• 2 = sometimes,
• 3 = frequently, and
• 4 = very frequently.

Correction procedure

You can write the numbers at the top of each column for reference.

Add numbers for each checked item based on the numbering system. If you checked the box
corresponding to "very often" for the first question, for example, then a score of 4 is given for that
question. Enter the total for each section in the total box provided for that section.
 ASRS
Review the results. A score of 24 or higher v1.1
on either Part A or Part B is indicative of ADHD in an
adult. If you score in the range of 17 to 23, then there is a likelihood of an ADHD diagnosis. A score
of less than 17 means ADHD is unlikely.

Four responses in criterion scores are considered suggestive of the existence of ADHD in adults.

Versions

The reduced version in Spanish is available on the Harvard University website (

http://www.hcp.med.harvard.edu/ncs/ftpdir/adhd/6Q-Spanish-USMexico.pdf ) ,

The full version on the New York University website ( http://psych.med.nyu.edu/adhd-self-

assessment-tools-and-information ) or
( http://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/assets/adhdscreen18.pdf )

There are also complete versions in Spanish available on the Internet (

http://www.deficitdeatencion.org/instrucciones.doc ) .

Psychometric properties:

Reliability:
The 6-item scale offers an internal consistency of 0.68 (0.92 for the full 18-item version), measured
by Cronbach's alpha coefficient.

If we only considered the first 4 items, the alpha would increase to 0.75: items 5 and 6 present a
very low correlation with the test, once excluded from it (0.36 and 0.16, respectively). The temporal
stability of the reduced version is r= 0.74 in a retest after 21 days.

Below are the long and short versions of ASRS v1.1

 ASRS
v1.1
ADHD Self-Report Scale Symptom Checklist
in adults (ASRS-v1.1)
Answer the following questions by evaluating yourself on each of the criteria shown,

Sometimes = 2
Frequently = 3
Very often = 4
using the scale on the right of the page. When you answer each question, place an X
in the box that best describes how you have felt and behaved over the past 6 months.

Never = 0
rarely = 1
Part A
1. How often do you have difficulty finishing the final details of a project after you
have done the difficult parts?
2. How often do you have trouble putting things in order when you have to do a task
that requires organization?
3. How often do you have trouble remembering appointments or obligations?
4. When you have a task that requires a lot of thinking, how often do you avoid or
delay starting it?
5. How often do you fidget or wring your hands or feet when you have to sit for a
long time?
6. How often do you feel overly active and driven to do things, like you have a motor
inside you?
Total =
Part B
7. How often do you make careless mistakes when you have to work on a difficult or
boring project?
8. How often do you have trouble staying focused when you are doing boring or
repetitive work?
9. How often do you have trouble concentrating on what other people are saying to
you, even when they are speaking directly to you?

10. How often do you have trouble finding things at home or at work?
11. How often are you distracted by activities or noises around you?
12. How often do you leave your seat in meetings or other situations where you are
expected to remain seated?
13. How often do you feel restless or agitated?

14. How often do you find it difficult to let go and relax when you have free time?

15. How often do you find that you talk too much when you are in social situations?

16. When you are engaged in a conversation, how often do you find yourself finishing
the sentences of the people you are talking to before they can finish them?

17. How often do you find it difficult to wait your turn in situations where it is
necessary to wait your turn?
18. How often do you interrupt other people when they are busy?
Total =
 ASRS
v1.1
ADHD Self-Report Scale Symptom Checklist
in adults (ASRS-v1.1)
Answer the following questions by evaluating yourself on each of the criteria shown,

Sometimes = 2
Frequently = 3
Very often = 4
using the scale on the right of the page. When you answer each question, place an X
in the box that best describes how you have felt and behaved over the past 6 months.

Never = 0
rarely = 1
1. How often do you have difficulty finishing the final details of a project after you
have done the difficult parts?
2. How often do you have trouble putting things in order when you have to do a task
that requires organization?
3. How often do you have trouble remembering appointments or obligations?
4. When you have a task that requires a lot of thinking, how often do you avoid or
delay starting it?
5. How often do you fidget or wring your hands or feet when you have to sit for a
long time?
6. How often do you feel overly active and driven to do things, like you have a motor
inside you?
Total =