Purpose

The scale aims to diagnose the two types of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) based on DSM-IV criteria.

Brief Description

The scale consists of questions that correspond to the 18 DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. It also includes 6 developmental screening questions. The questions are designed in such a way as to allow differentiation between the two types of ADHD and are used by both parents and teachers to assess symptoms of anxiety and depression based on DSM-IV criteria.

Sample

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

Scoring Method

Responses are rated on a four-point Likert scale (0=never, 1=occasionally, 2=often, 3=very often). The total score for ADHD is derived from the sum of the ratings across the two subscales (inattention – hyperactivity/impulsivity) from both parent and teacher reports.

Main Bibliographic Source

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.