The Instrument: ASRS v1.1
Our ADHD quiz is based on the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale Version 1.1 (ASRS v1.1), developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with Kessler and colleagues in 2005.
What It Measures
The ASRS v1.1 screens for symptoms across two ADHD dimensions:
- Inattention — Difficulty focusing, organizing, and following through on tasks
- Hyperactivity-Impulsivity — Restlessness, fidgeting, and acting without thinking
Screening vs. Diagnosis
The ASRS is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. A positive screen indicates that further evaluation by a healthcare professional is warranted.
Validation & Reliability
The ASRS v1.1 was rigorously validated in collaboration with the WHO:
- Sensitivity: 68.7% — correctly identifies most people with ADHD
- Specificity: 99.5% — very low false positive rate
- Internal Consistency: Cronbach's alpha of .88
- Validation Sample: Over 150 clinical patients and community controls
The 6-item screener was developed using a large epidemiological study of over 3,000 participants.
Academic Citations
- Kessler, R. C., Adler, L., Ames, M., Demler, O., Faraone, S., Hiripi, E., ... & 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
- Adler, L. A., Spencer, T., Faraone, S. V., Kessler, R. C., Howes, M. J., Biederman, J., & Secnik, K. (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
- Ustun, B., Adler, L. A., Rudin, C., Faraone, S. V., Spencer, T. J., Berglund, P., ... & Kessler, R. C. (2017). The World Health Organization adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder self-report screening scale for DSM-5. JAMA Psychiatry, 74(5), 520-527. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.0298
- Barkley, R. A. (2015). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A handbook for diagnosis and treatment (4th ed.). Guilford Press.
- American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing.
Limitations
While the ASRS v1.1 is a validated screening tool, it has important limitations:
- Screening Only: A positive result requires follow-up with a healthcare provider
- Self-Report Bias: Results depend on accurate self-assessment
- Symptom Overlap: ADHD symptoms can overlap with anxiety, depression, and other conditions
- Adult Focus: Designed for adults 18+; childhood ADHD assessment differs
ADHD diagnosis requires comprehensive evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional, including clinical interview and medical history.