Description

The Diagnostic Rating Scale – Parent and Teacher (DRS-P-T-24) is a psychometric assessment tool designed to evaluate symptoms associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) based on the diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Fourth Edition (DSM-IV).

The scale is completed by both parents and teachers, allowing the assessment of children’s behavioral characteristics across different environments, such as home and school. It focuses on the identification and differentiation of the two main symptom domains of ADHD: inattention and hyperactivity–impulsivity.

The instrument is used in clinical assessment, epidemiological research, and educational settings to support the identification of children who may present symptoms consistent with ADHD and to provide information regarding behavioral functioning.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the DRS-P-T-24 is to assess and differentiate the two major symptom dimensions of ADHD according to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria:

Inattention, referring to difficulties maintaining attention, organizing activities, following instructions, and completing tasks.

Hyperactivity–Impulsivity, referring to excessive motor activity, impulsive behaviors, difficulty waiting, and problems with behavioral regulation.

The scale also includes developmental screening items and provides information from both parents and teachers, supporting a broader understanding of the child’s behavioral profile and symptom expression in different contexts.

Structure and Characteristics of the Scale

The DRS-P-T-24 consists of items corresponding to the 18 DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for ADHD, covering the two core symptom domains:

Inattention
Hyperactivity–Impulsivity

In addition, the scale includes 6 developmental screening questions designed to provide supplementary information regarding the child’s developmental and behavioral characteristics.

The items are structured to allow differentiation between the two ADHD symptom dimensions and are completed separately by parents and teachers.

The Greek adaptation of the instrument was based on data from an epidemiological study of ADHD conducted in Greece, using a representative sample of 600 children aged 6 to 9 years attending six schools in the region of Attica.

Data Analysis and Use of the Data

The analysis of the DRS-P-T-24 focuses on the evaluation of ADHD-related symptoms through the comparison of parent and teacher ratings.

The data allow researchers and clinicians to examine the frequency and intensity of inattentive and hyperactive–impulsive behaviors and to identify differences in symptom expression between home and school environments.

The results can be used in clinical assessment, educational planning, epidemiological studies, and research investigating ADHD symptoms, associated emotional difficulties, and behavioral functioning in children.

The scale may also contribute to the assessment of symptoms related to anxiety and depression based on DSM-IV criteria, according to the structure described in the available material.

Validity and Reliability / Psychometric Characteristics

The available material describes the purpose, structure, adaptation sample, and scoring procedure of the DRS-P-T-24, but it does not provide specific psychometric indicators.

No information is reported regarding Cronbach’s α values, factor analysis results, test–retest reliability coefficients, sensitivity and specificity indices, or other measures of validity and reliability.

Therefore, based on the available information, specific numerical psychometric characteristics of the DRS-P-T-24 cannot be presented.

Scoring and Statistical Evaluation

The responses of the DRS-P-T-24 are rated using a four-point Likert scale:

0 = Never
1 = Occasionally
2 = Often
3 = Very Often

The total ADHD score is calculated by summing the ratings across the two main symptom domains:

Inattention
Hyperactivity–Impulsivity

Separate scores can be obtained from parent and teacher reports, allowing comparison of symptom severity across different settings.

Higher scores indicate a greater frequency of ADHD-related behaviors and a higher level of symptom expression.

The available material does not provide specific cut-off scores or diagnostic classification thresholds.

Applications

The Diagnostic Rating Scale – Parent and Teacher (DRS-P-T-24) is applicable in child psychological assessment, educational evaluation, and research on ADHD.

Its main applications include screening for ADHD symptoms, supporting diagnostic assessment procedures, evaluating behavioral difficulties across environments, and monitoring changes following educational or clinical interventions.

The use of information from both parents and teachers enhances the ecological validity of the assessment by capturing children’s behaviors in multiple everyday contexts.

Reference

Wolraich, M. L., Doffing, M. A., Hannah, J. N., Baumgaertel, A., & Feurer, I. D. (1998). Mother and Teacher Reports of ADHD Symptoms: DSM-IV Questionnaire Data. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 38, 1139–1147.