Brief Description
The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale V1.1 (ASRS V1.1) is an 18-item self-report questionnaire that serves a screener and symptom monitoring tool for ADHD in adults. It was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and adapted from the ADHD section of the DSM-IV-TR. Respondents rate how often they experience the ADHD symptoms listed (e.g., “How often do you have problems remembering appointments or obligations?”) on a scale from “Never” to “Very Often” over the last 6 months.
Assessment Administration Type
Self-report
Number of questions
18
Age Range for Administration
18+
Recommended Frequency of Administration
Every six months
Summary of Scoring and Interpretations
The ASRS V1.1 contains 18 questions, with each item receiving a score of “0” or “1.” See the table below for the scoring system for each item.
Items | Never | Rarely | Sometimes | Often | Very Often |
1-3, 9, 12, 16, 18 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
4-8, 10-11, 13-15, 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Part A consists of the first 6 items; these questions are the most predictive of ADHD and are best for use as a screening instrument. Part A’s total score ranges from 0-6; a score of 4 or more in Part A indicates a positive screen for ADHD. Part B consists of items 7 through 18; these items are based on DSM criteria that provide additional cues and can serve as further probes into the patient’s symptoms.
The ASRS V1.1 contains 3 subscales to help determine ADHD subtypes. See the table below for the 3 subscales and their associated item numbers.
Subscale | Item Numbers |
Inattentive (measures difficulty in focusing on details, being organized, remembering appointments, making careless mistakes, and concentrating) | 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 |
Hyperactive/Impulsive - Motor (measures difficulty in sitting still, staying seated, and ability to relax) | 5, 6, 12, 13, 14 |
Hyperactive/Impulsive - Verbal (measures difficulty in controlling how much one is talking, interrupting others, and waiting their turn) | 15, 16, 17, 18 |
Blueprint Adjustments
Due to platform scoring capabilities at this time, Blueprint has coded responses using a 0.01 decimal system. Thus, 0.01/0.02/0.03 all equate to a “0” value response and 1.01/1.02/1.03 all equate to a “1” value response. Blueprint provides the score for Part A and indicates whether the individual has screened positive for ADHD or not, followed by the subscale scores.
Clinical Considerations
Estimated completion time: 4-8 minutes
Research suggests that the symptoms of ADHD can persist into adulthood, having a significant impact on relationships, careers, and the personal safety of those who experience it. Many people who have it do not receive appropriate treatment; part of the problem is that it can be difficult to diagnose, particularly in adults.
To make a diagnosis of ADHD, we recommend that you assess the presence of these symptoms or similar symptoms in childhood. Adults who have ADHD need not have been formally diagnosed in childhood. In evaluating a patient’s history, look for evidence of early-appearing and long-standing problems with attention or self-control. Some significant symptoms should have been present in childhood, such as appearing forgetful or making careless mistakes, but full symptomatology is not necessary.
While the DSM specifies two subtypes (Inattentive and Hyperactive/Impulsive), the ASRS V1.1 indicates three distinct symptom clusters (the subscales).
Citation
Kessler, R. C., Adler, L., Ames, M., Demler, O., Faraone, S., Hiripi, E., Howes, M. J., Jin, R., Secnik, K., Spencer, T., Ustun, T. B., & Walters, E. E. (2005). The World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS): a short screening scale for use in the general population. Psychological Medicine, 35(2), 245–256. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291704002892
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