Vanderbilt ADHD Assessment Screening

The Vanderbilt ADHD Assessment Screening form digitizes the Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Rating Scale, one of the most widely used tools for the initial evaluation of ADHD in school-age children. Developed at Vanderbilt University, this parent-completed assessment aligns directly with DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and evaluates not only core ADHD symptoms but also common comorbid conditions including oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, and anxiety/depression.

The questionnaire presents behavioral statements that parents rate on a 0-3 frequency scale (never, occasionally, often, very often). The inattention section covers nine items such as difficulty sustaining attention, not listening when spoken to, losing things, and being easily distracted. The hyperactivity-impulsivity section covers nine items including fidgeting, leaving seat, running or climbing, talking excessively, and difficulty waiting turns. Additional sections screen for oppositional and conduct behaviors, anxiety and depression symptoms, and academic/social performance impairment.

This template is designed for pediatric primary care practices conducting ADHD evaluations, child psychiatry and developmental-behavioral pediatrics clinics, school-based assessment teams, and family medicine practices. The Vanderbilt Assessment is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics as part of the comprehensive ADHD evaluation process and is freely available for clinical use. A companion teacher rating form can be used alongside this parent form to gather multi-informant data, which is required for an accurate ADHD diagnosis per AAP guidelines.