ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v.1.1)
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The ASRS v1.1 is an 18-item self-report screening tool designed to identify symptoms of adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It maps directly onto DSM diagnostic criteria and is commonly used to support clinical evaluation in primary care and mental health settings.
Recommended Frequency: Administer during intake or diagnostic clarification; repeat only if clinically indicated, typically not more than once every 6–12 months.
About the ASRS v1.1
The ASRS v1.1 was developed by the World Health Organization in collaboration with experts in adult ADHD, including Drs. Kessler, Adler, and Spencer. It includes two parts: a 6-item screener (Part A) and a 12-item follow-up section (Part B), covering core symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity in adults.
The tool is designed to be used with verbally fluent individuals aged 18 and older and is commonly applied in primary care, psychiatric, and research settings.
Psychometric Properties
The ASRS v1.1 has demonstrated excellent reliability and diagnostic accuracy:
- Internal consistency: α = 0.88 (Adler et al., 2006)
- Concurrent validity: r = 0.84 with clinician ratings
- 6-item screener AUC: 0.90 (Kessler et al., 2005)
- Sensitivity: 1.0
- Specificity: ~0.71
- Negative Predictive Power: 1.0
- Positive Predictive Power: ~0.52
Factor analysis (Stanton et al., 2018) supports a three-factor structure:
- Inattentiveness
- Motor Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
- Verbal Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
Although DSM-5-TR specifies two symptom domains, the ASRS offers added granularity by separating hyperactive traits into verbal and motor categories.
The Scale
Respondents rate how often they experience each symptom over the past 6 months using a 5-point scale:
- “Never” (0)
- “Rarely” (1)
- “Sometimes” (2)
- “Often” (3)
- “Very Often” (4)
Part A (6-item screener) includes the most predictive items for adult ADHD and is often used as a standalone screen.
Part B (12 items) offers additional depth across the two DSM symptom domains.
Score Range
- Part A (Screener): 4 or more answers in the shaded “positive” range suggests possible ADHD
- Full Scale: No official total cutoff, but higher scores indicate greater symptom presence
Positive screens should be followed by a full clinical evaluation.
Copyright
© World Health Organization and collaborators. The ASRS v1.1 is freely distributed for public, clinical, and research use.
References
- Kessler, R. C., Adler, L., Ames, M., et al. (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
- Adler, L. A., Spencer, T. J., Faraone, S. V., et al. (2006). Validity of pilot Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) to rate adult ADHD symptoms. Annals of Clinical Psychiatry, 18(3), 145–148. https://doi.org/10.1080/10401230600801077
- Stanton, K., Leigh, H., & Scott, R. (2018). Three-factor model of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1) in a nonclinical sample. Journal of Attention Disorders, 22(13), 1265–1271. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054715623043
Disclaimer
This summary is for informational purposes only. HiBoop does not provide diagnostic interpretation. The ASRS v1.1 should be used by trained professionals as part of a comprehensive assessment process.
Permissions
The ASRS v1.1 is publicly available and may be used, reproduced, and distributed without licensing for non-commercial clinical and research purposes with proper attribution.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can the ASRS be used for diagnosis?
No—it is a screening tool. A full diagnostic assessment is required to confirm ADHD.