ASRS v1.1
Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale
Six-item Part A screen (with 12-item Part B for full symptom profile) for adult ADHD developed with the WHO.
What it measures
Part A: six items found most predictive of ADHD diagnosis in WHO/Harvard validation work. Part B: 12 additional items for full DSM-aligned symptom coverage.
Scoring and bands
Cutoffs
Each Part A item has its own shaded scoring zone — count items whose response falls within the shaded box. ≥4 darkened items = positive screen.
How to talk about the score
The ASRS is a screen, not a diagnostic. A positive screen calls for a full ADHD evaluation including developmental history (symptoms must trace to childhood), functional impairment, and rule-outs for trauma, anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders that can mimic ADHD.
Limitations
- Self-report
- Doesn't distinguish ADHD from anxiety/depression-driven attention problems
- Childhood-onset criterion isn't assessed
- Vulnerable to malingering when stimulants are sought
Best used for
- Initial screening when ADHD is a possibility
- Adult intake for psychotherapy with chronic executive complaints
- Pre-evaluation triage
FAQ
Is the ASRS enough to start medication?
No. Medication decisions require a full diagnostic evaluation including childhood history, rule-outs, and functional impairment. The ASRS opens the door.
Why is the ASRS missing inattention vs. hyperactivity subtypes?
Part A is intentionally brief and atheoretical. Use Part B alongside DSM symptom inventories to characterize subtype.