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ASRS v1.1 (Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale)

The ASRS v1.1 is an 18-item self-report questionnaire designed to assess ADHD symptoms in adults (18+). It consists of two parts: Part A is the main screening test, while Part B offers more information that can be discussed with your medical professional.

Psychometric Testing Therapeutic Assessment Under 5 min Psychoeducation
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At a glance

Activity type
Assessment
Best for
ADHD
Modalities
Psychometric Testing, Therapeutic Assessment
Tags
adult, assessment, screener, intake, adhd
Length
2 pages
Citations
Kessler, R. C., Adler, L., Ames, M., Demler, O., Faraone, S., Hiripi, E., Howes, M. J., Jin, R., Secnik, K., Spencer, T., Ustun, T. B., Walters, E. E. (2005). The World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) — A short screening scale for use in the general population, Stanton, K., Forbes, M. K., Zimmerman, M. (2018). Three-factor structure of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale

What is ASRS v1.1 (Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale)?

Therapeutic Assessment is a paradigm in which psychological testing is used to help people understand themselves better and find solutions to their persistent problems. The ASRS was developed by a World Health Organization (WHO) work group in conjunction with the creation of the World Mental Health (WMH) Survey Initiative version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. The ASRS is a two-part screener: Part A (6 items) identifies likely ADHD, while Part B (12 items) provides a more detailed symptom assessment, assessing the three core ADHD symptom domains — inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

How therapists use it

Psychometric testing establishes a baseline of the client's cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning at intake, helping the therapist create a detailed treatment plan tailored to the individual's needs and goals and providing measurable markers to track progress throughout treatment. The ASRS is only a screening scale, not a diagnostic test, so diagnostic assessment by a trained clinician is needed to follow up on patients who screen positive.

Who it's for

The ASRS v1.1 is designed for adults 18 and older. ADHD symptoms must cause functional impairment to meet diagnostic criteria; the ASRS does not assess impairment directly, so elevated scores warrant contextual evaluation through interview, collateral information, and functional assessment. The scale is most useful as a first-line screening tool in intake or primary care settings where brief, validated assessment is needed.

What clients see

The client completes 18 items rating the frequency of ADHD symptoms on a 5-point scale. Part A takes minutes to complete and generates an initial screening result. Part B provides additional symptom detail for clinical interpretation.

9:41 PM

Part A — Criterion

How often do you have trouble wrapping up the final details of a project, once the challenging parts have been done? Never Rarely Sometimes Often Very Often
How often do you have difficulty getting things in order when you have to do a task that requires organisation? Never Rarely Sometimes Often Very Often
How often do you have problems remembering appointments or obligations? Never Rarely Sometimes Often Very Often
When you have a task that requires a lot of thought, how often do you avoid or delay getting started? Never Rarely Sometimes Often Very Often
How often do you fidget or squirm with your hands or feet when you have to sit down for a long time? Never Rarely Sometimes Often Very Often
How often do you feel overly active and compelled to do things, like you were driven by a motor? Never Rarely Sometimes Often Very Often
Part A — Criterion
9:41 PM

Part B — Additional Symptoms

How often do you make careless mistakes when you have to work on a boring or difficult project? Never Rarely Sometimes Often Very Often
How often do you have difficulty keeping your attention when you are doing boring or repetitive work? Never Rarely Sometimes Often Very Often
How often do you have difficulty concentrating on what people say to you, even when they are speaking to you directly? Never Rarely Sometimes Often Very Often
How often do you misplace or have difficulty finding things at home or at work? Never Rarely Sometimes Often Very Often
How often are you distracted by activity or noise around you? Never Rarely Sometimes Often Very Often
How often do you leave your seat in meetings or other situations in which you are expected to remain seated? Never Rarely Sometimes Often Very Often
Part B — Additional Symptoms

Modality fit

Therapeutic Assessment

Therapeutic Assessment uses psychological testing to help clients gain insight into their functioning and challenges. The ASRS provides structured, objective data that supports collaborative understanding of ADHD symptoms and informs treatment planning.

Psychometric Testing

Psychometric Testing measures psychological characteristics objectively using standardized procedures. The ASRS quantifies ADHD symptom frequency against established norms, providing reliable data for diagnosis, treatment planning, and progress monitoring.

Common questions

Is the ASRS a diagnostic tool?

No. The ASRS is a screening scale that identifies adults who may have ADHD and warrant further clinical evaluation. A trained clinician must conduct a comprehensive diagnostic assessment to confirm ADHD diagnosis.

How long does the ASRS take to complete?

Part A (the 6-item screener) takes approximately one minute. The full 18-item scale takes a few minutes. The brief administration time makes it practical for intake and primary care settings.

What does Part B add beyond Part A?

Part A identifies likely ADHD cases. Part B provides a fuller picture of symptom frequency across all 18 DSM-IV ADHD criteria, offering additional clinical context for interpretation and treatment planning.

Who should use the ASRS?

Therapists, primary care providers, and clinicians conducting intake assessments with adults 18 and older who may have undiagnosed ADHD. It is not appropriate for children or adolescents.

Assign the ASRS v1.1 to your client

Use this screening scale at intake to identify adults who may have ADHD and need further diagnostic evaluation.

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