What tests are used for ADHD and related conditions?
ADHD is our main focus. But ADHD rarely travels alone, so alongside the core ADHD scales, the ASRS and the Wender Utah, you'll find screeners for the conditions that so often ride along with it: anxiety, depression, and autism.
None of these is a diagnosis on its own. Think of them as a way to map what's going on, so the conversation with your GP or a psychologist starts from something concrete.
Last Updated: 4 February, 2025The Tests:
Adult ADHD Self Report Scale (Quickest)
Developed in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO), the ASRS is a self-administered questionnaire tailored for adults. It consists of 18 questions that map directly to the diagnostic criteria for ADHD in the DSM-5. The scale helps identify ADHD symptoms and serves as a preliminary screening tool in clinical settings. There is also a common 6-question variant with similar efficacy.
Wender Utah Adult ADHD Rating Scale (Most Accurate)
This test is aimed at diagnosing ADHD in adults and focuses on retrospective diagnosis by examining the individual's childhood behaviour. It offers a unique approach to diagnosing ADHD in adults by considering long-standing behavioural patterns. The test involves a questionnaire that covers a broad range of symptoms, including impulsivity and attentional issues.
Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Rating Scale (Best for Parents and Children)
Primarily used for children, the Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Rating Scale comprises of parent and teacher questionnaires designed to assess ADHD symptoms and coexisting conditions like oppositional-defiant disorder and anxiety. This is a comprehensive scale that aids in the diagnosis and treatment planning by evaluating behavioural symptoms in different settings, such as home and school.
DASS21 - Depression Anxiety Stress Scale
The DASS-21 rolls three short scales into one, measuring depression, anxiety, and stress. It isn't ADHD-specific. It's often run alongside ADHD tests to screen for the depression, anxiety, or stress that can sit alongside ADHD, giving a clinician a fuller read on how someone is actually doing.
PHQ-9: Patient Health Questionnaire - Depression
The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) is a self-administered version of the PRIME-MD diagnostic instrument for common mental disorders. The PHQ-9 is specifically designed to screen for symptoms of depression. Comprising of 9 questions based on the diagnostic criteria set by the DSM-5, this tool allows individuals to report the frequency of depressive symptoms experienced over a 2 week period. Healthcare providers use the PHQ-9 to diagnose depression, gauge its severity, and determine the best course of treatment. The questionnaire is widely used due to its simplicity, reliability, and effective clinical utility.
GAD-7: Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment
Seven questions, one job: gauging how much anxiety has coloured your last fortnight. The GAD-7 screens for generalised anxiety disorder and rates how severe it is. It's popular in clinics and research alike, mostly because it's quick and it works, and it gives clinicians a solid footing for decisions about diagnosis and treatment.
ASSQ: Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire
The ASSQ is a 27-item checklist aimed at identifying symptoms associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children aged 7 to 16. Designed for use by parents and teachers, the questionnaire focuses on social interaction, communication skills, and repetitive behaviour patterns. The ASSQ is often employed as an initial screening tool to determine the need for a more comprehensive autism evaluation.
RAADS-R: Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale – Revised
At 80 questions, the RAADS-R is the long one here. It's a self-assessment for autism in adults, covering language, social relatedness, and sensorimotor patterns. What sets it apart is that it weighs how you are now against how you were growing up, which is often where the clearest signs of missed autism sit.
Other Diagnostic Tests:
- MARS
- MEWS
Think an ADHD assessment is your next step?
Our partner Kantoko offers affordable, 100% online ADHD assessment and ongoing care for adults across Australia, without the long public waitlist.
Explore ADHD assessment at Kantoko