Evidence-based assessment/Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (assessment portfolio)
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EBA Implementation |
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Assessment phases |
Steps 1-2: Preparation phase |
Steps 3-5: Prediction phase |
Steps 6-9: Prescription phase |
Steps 10-12: Process/progress/outcome phase |
For background information on what assessment portfolios are, click the link in the heading above.
Want even 'more' information about this topic? There is an extended version of this page here.
Diagnostic Criteria of ADHD in youth
[edit | edit source]ICD-11 Diagnostic Criteria
General Description: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is characterized by a persistent pattern (at least 6 months) of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that has a direct negative impact on academic, occupational, or social functioning. There is evidence of significant inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms prior to age 12, typically by early to mid-childhood, though some individuals may first come to clinical attention later. The degree of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity is outside the limits of normal variation expected for age and level of intellectual functioning. Inattention refers to significant difficulty in sustaining attention to tasks that do not provide a high level of stimulation or frequent rewards, distractibility, and problems with organization. Hyperactivity refers to excessive motor activity and difficulties remaining still, most evident in structured situations requiring behavioral self-control. Impulsivity is a tendency to act in response to immediate stimuli without deliberation or consideration of the risks and consequences. The relative balance and the specific manifestations of inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive characteristics vary across individuals and may change over the course of development. In order for a diagnosis to be made, manifestations of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity must be evident across multiple situations or settings (e.g., home, school, work, with friends or relatives), but are likely to vary according to the structure and demands of the setting.
6A05.0 Predominantly Inattentive Presentation: All definitional requirements for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are met, and inattentive symptoms are predominant in the clinical presentation. Inattention refers to significant difficulty in sustaining attention to tasks that do not provide a high level of stimulation or frequent rewards, distractibility, and problems with organization. Some hyperactive-impulsive symptoms may also be present, but these are not clinically significant in relation to the inattentive symptoms.
6A05.1 Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive: All definitional requirements for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are met, and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms are predominant in the clinical presentation. Hyperactivity refers to excessive motor activity and difficulties remaining still, most evident in structured situations requiring behavioral self-control. Impulsivity is a tendency to act in response to immediate stimuli without deliberation or consideration of the risks and consequences. Some inattentive symptoms may also be present, but these are not clinically significant in relation to the hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
6A05.2 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Combined presentation: It meets all ADHD diagnostic requirements, and both hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive symptoms are clinically significant aspects of the current clinical presentation, with neither clearly predominating.
Changes in DSM-5
The diagnostic criteria for ADHD changed slightly from DSM-IV to DSM-5. See the changes here.
Base rates of youth ADHD in different populations and clinical settings
[edit | edit source]This section describes the demographic setting of the population(s) sampled, base rates of diagnosis, country/region sampled, and the diagnostic method that was used. Using this information, clinicians will be able to anchor the rates of adolescent depression that they are likely to see in their clinical practices.
- To find prevalence rates across multiple disorders, click here.
Demography | Setting | Base Rate(s) | Diagnostic Method |
---|---|---|---|
Worldwide, Population-Based, Ages 3-18 | Meta-Analysis of worldwide prevalence of Child/Adolescent ADHD[2] | 6.1% (diagnostic algorithm-parent rating) 7.1% (diagnostic algorithm-teacher rating) 10.5% (ages 3-5) 11.4% (ages 6-12) 8.0% (ages 13-18) |
Multiple, but each focused on DSM-IV criteria |
USA Nationally Representative, Ages 3-17 | Epidemiological NHIS (US CDC, 2011) | 8.4% (Overall) 12.0% (Male) 4.7% (Female) 2.1% (ages 3-5) 8.4% (ages 6-11) 11.9% (ages 12-17) 10.3% (southern region of US) |
Parent-report of whether child had ever been diagnosed |
USA Nationally Representative, Ages 4-17 | Child and Adolescent Epidemiological National Survey of Children's Health (US CDC, 2007) | 9.5% (overall) 12.3% (male) 5.3% (female) 1.5% (ages 3-5) 9.1% (ages 6-11) 12.4% (ages 12-17) 15.6% (North Carolina) |
Parent-report of whether child had ever been diagnosed |
USA Nationally Representative, Ages 5-14 | Teacher-Reported Prevalence of ADHD[3] | 5.25% (overall) 5.58% (elementary schoolers) 3.53% (middle schoolers) 7.1% (one county in rural NC) |
Teacher report of number of children who have been identified with ADHD in their class |
USA Nationally Representative, Ages 13-18 | Adolescent Epidemiological National Comorbidity Survey-Adolescent Supplement[4] | 8.7% | CIDI 3.0 structured diagnostic interview |
Ages 6-90 | Meta-Analysis of Clinical Samples[5] | 38% | Structured Diagnostic Interviews |
Ages 6-90 | Meta-Analysis of Clinical Samples[5] | 23% | Clinical Evaluations |
Representative Sample of Johnston County School Children, North Carolina, Ages 6-12 | Johnston County, North Carolina Sample[6] | 15.5% | Combined parent and teacher report (NTRS and DISC) with DSM-IV criteria |
Sample drawn from 11 counties in Western NC, Ages 9-16 | North Carolina Community Sample[7] | 0.9% (3-month prevalence) 4.1% (estimated by age 16) |
CAPA structured diagnostic interview |
Sample recruited at Durham, NC, Seattle, Nashville, and Central Pennsylvania sites.
Sample was followed longitudinally and identified as at high risk for externalizing disorders in kindergarten. 50% African American, Ages 12-15 |
High-Risk Community Sample[8] | 14.3% | Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (DISC) |
Psychometric properties of screening instruments for youth ADHD
[edit | edit source]The following section contains a list of screening and diagnostic instruments for ADHD. The section includes administration information, psychometric data, and PDFs or links to the screenings.
- Screenings are used as part of the prediction phase of assessment; for more information on interpretation of this data, or how screenings fit in to the assessment process, click here.
- For a list of more broadly-reaching screening instruments, click here.
Screening and diagnostic instruments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
[edit | edit source]Measure | Format (Reporter) | Age Range | Administration/ Completion Time |
Where to Access |
---|---|---|---|---|
Youth | ||||
ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS-V)[9] | Teacher, Parent | 5-10 y/o: Child Version
11-17 y/o: Adolescent Version |
5 minutes for each scale | Not Free |
Conners 3rd Edition[10] | Teacher, Parent | 6-18 y/o: Administered to parents and teachers of children and adolescents age
8-18 y/o: Self-report |
20 minutes: Long Version
10 minutes: Short Version <5 Minutes: Conners 3AI and Conners 3GI |
Not Free |
Vanderbilt ADHD Parent Rating Scale (VADPRS) | Teacher, Parent | 6-12 y/o | Free | |
Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL/6-18)
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Parent | 6-18 y/o | 15-20 minutes | Not Free |
Behavior Assessment Scale for Children (BASC-3) | Teacher, Parent, Self-Report, Clinician Class Observation (SOS)[11] | 2-21 y/o: Teacher Rating Scale (TRS), Parent Rating Scale (PRS)
6-college age or 25 y/o: Self Report of Personality (SRP)[12] |
10-20 minutes: (TRS and PRS)
30 minutes: (SRP) |
Not Free |
Note: Reliability and validity are included in the extended version. This table includes measures with Good or Excellent ratings.
Likelihood ratios and AUCs of screening measures for ADHD
[edit | edit source]- For a list of the likelihood ratios for more broadly reaching screening instruments, click here.
Screening Measure (Primary Reference) | AUC (sample size) | DiLR+ (score) Score | DiLR- (score) Score | Clinical Generalizability and Study Description | Study description | Where to Access |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Youth | ||||||
Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) - Attention Problems T-Score[13] | .84 (N=187) | 6.92 (>55) | 0.19 (<55) | Somewhat High
Utilized sample ages 6-18 recruited from local pediatricians, psychiatrists, and community advertisements. Included 95 children who met criteria for ADHD. 70 of these children also met criteria for ODD/CD.[14] |
Utilized sample ages 6-18 recruited from local pediatricians, psychiatrists, and community advertisements. Included 95 children who met criteria for ADHD. 70 of these children also met criteria for ODD/CD.[14] | |
12.2 (>60) | 0.41 (<60) | |||||
47 (>65) | 0.53 (<65) | |||||
34 (>70) | 0.66 (<70) | |||||
Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) - Attention and Aggression Problems T-Score[13] | Boys: .86 (N=111) | 10.2 (>55) | 0.41 (<55) | Somewhat High
Utilized sample ages 6-18 which consisted of 219 brothers and sisters of children who were referred to a hospital pediatric unit for ADHD or other symptoms. Half of these siblings had brothers and sisters who had ADHD, half did not.[15] |
Utilized sample ages 6-18 which consisted of 219 brothers and sisters of children who were referred to a hospital pediatric unit for ADHD or other symptoms. Half of these siblings had brothers and sisters who had ADHD, half did not.[15] | |
Girls: 0.90 (N=108) | 11.2 (>55) | 0.35 (<55) | ||||
Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Parent Rating Scale (VADPRS)[16] | Not reported | 4.79 (Endorsed ≥ 6 symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity) | 0.38 (Endorsed < 6 symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity) | Moderate
Sample consists of 582 children ages 5-15 recruited through schools in Oklahoma. Sample includes children screened as "high risk" for ADHD and "low risk" for ADHD.[17] |
Sample consists of 582 children ages 5-15 recruited through schools in Oklahoma. Sample includes children screened as "high risk" for ADHD and "low risk" for ADHD.[17] | |
Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Teacher Rating Scale (VADTRS)[18] | Not reported | 2.91 (Elevated risk score) | 0.657 (Risk score not elevated) | Moderate | Sample consisted of 370 children ages 5-15 recruited though schools in Oklahoma. Sample was representative community sample.[19] | |
Conners Rating Scale (Revised) - Long Form Parent Report (Conners, 1997) | Not reported | 15.33 (>93rd percentile) | 0.09 (<93rd percentile) | Moderate | Data come from normative sample of 2482 children ages 3 to 17 across the United States and Canada. Diagnostic likelihood ratios here discriminate ADHD from Non-Clinical.[20] | |
Conners Parent Rating Scale-48 (CPRS-48) Impulsive-Hyperactive Subscale T-Score (Conners, 1990) | Not reported | 1.26 (>70) | 0.79 (>70) | Somewhat High | Utilized sample ages 5-12 years referred to a research clinic for assessment of ADHD. 108 children were ultimately diagnosed with ADHD, while 76 were not. LR's are calculated for discriminating between those two groups.[21] | |
Conners Teacher Rating Scale-39 Hyperactivity Subscale T-Score (Conners, 1990) | Not reported | 5.2 (>70) | 0.53 (<70) | Somewhat High | ||
Conners Teacher Rating Scale (Revised) - Long Form (Conners, 1997) | Not reported | 8.66 (>93rd percentile) | 0.24 (<93rd percentile) | Moderate | Data come from normative sample of 1973 children ages 5 to 17 across the United States and Canada. Likelihood ratios discriminate ADHD from non-clinical.[20] | |
ADHD RS-IV - Home (DuPaul et. al, 1998b) | Not reported | 1.63 (>80th percentile) | 0.35 (<80th percentile) | Moderate | Sample of 2000 children ages 5 to 18 years old from geographically representative normative base.[20] | |
ADHD RS-IV - School (DuPaul et. al, 1998b) | Not reported | 4.5 (>80th percentile) | 0.42 (<80th percentile) | Moderate |
Note: All studies with one exception used structured or semi-structured clinical interviews to establish diagnosis of ADHD. The exception, the Sprafkin & Gadow study (2007), used a combination of CBCL rating scales, clinician review, and clinician consensus to confirm ADHD diagnosis.[22] “LR+” refers to the change in likelihood ratio associated with a positive test score, and “LR-” is the likelihood ratio for a low score. Likelihood ratios of 1 indicate that the test result did not change impressions at all. LRs larger than 10 or smaller than .10 are frequently clinically decisive; 5 or .20 are helpful, and between 2.0 and .5 are small enough that they rarely result in clinically meaningful changes of formulation (Sackett et al., 2000).
Interpreting ADHD screening measure scores
[edit | edit source]- For information on interpreting screening measure scores, click here.
- Also see the page on likelihood ratios in diagnostic testing for more information
Gold standard diagnostic interviews
[edit | edit source]- For a list of broad reaching diagnostic interviews sortable by disorder with PDFs (if applicable), click here.
Recommended diagnostic interviews for ADHD
[edit | edit source]Diagnostic instruments for ADHD | ||||
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Measure | Format (Reporter) | Age Range | Administration/
Completion Time |
Where to Access |
Youth | ||||
Barkley Functional Impairment Scale—Children and Adolescents (BFIS-CA) | Parent Report | 6-17 | 5-7 minutes | Link to purchase |
Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale[23] | Parent/Caregiver
Report |
5-19 |
Note: Reliability and validity are included in the extended version. This table includes measures with Good or Excellent ratings.
The following section contains a brief overview of treatment options for ADHD and list of process and outcome measures for ADHD. The section includes benchmarks based on published norms for several outcome and severity measures, as well as information about commonly used process measures. Process and outcome measures are used as part of the process phase of assessment. For more information of differences between process and outcome measures, see the page on the process phase of assessment.
Process measures
[edit | edit source]
- CBCL Attention Problems Subscale
- Could be used on a weekly basis to track changes in ADHD symptomotology. T-scores from this measure could also be recorded on a weekly basis to determine if reliable and clinically significant changes in ADHD symptoms are occuring. The CBCL Attention Problems Subscale has repeatedly demonstrated good-to-excellent convergence with diagnostic interviews for diagnosing ADHD.[24][25][14][15] The CBCL Attention Problems Subscale is a scale on the CBCL that is not a part of the externalizing scales or internalizing scales
- Daily Report Card
- Several scholars have pointed out that it is equally important to track changes in the functional behaviors that a child with ADHD engages in, in addition to their ADHD symptoms, to capture the full range of adaptive changes that are made by children with ADHD throughout the course of treatment.[24][26] The daily report card is a mechanism by which such adaptive behavioral changes can be tracked. When implementing the daily report card, problematic child behaviors at home and at school are targeted for change. Rewards are offered to the child for reaching daily and weekly goals for reducing maladaptive behaviors and increasing adaptive behaviors. Parents and Teachers track child behaviors on a daily basis and provide feedback to one another and the child with behavior frequency counts and/or daily "grades" on how well the child behaved. Daily report cards are a mainstay of cognitive-behavioral and behavioral modification evidence-based intervention strategies for ADHD,[27][28] and they are highly recommended for tracking child treatment outcomes. Instructions for creating a daily report card are attached in Appendix 1.
Outcome and severity measures
[edit | edit source]This table includes clinically significant benchmarks for ADHD specific outcome measures
- Information on how to interpret this table can be found here.
- Additionally, these vignettes might be helpful resources for understanding appropriate adaptation of outcome measures in practice.
- For clinically significant change benchmarks for the CBCL, YSR, and TRF total, externalizing, internalizing, and attention benchmarks, see here.
Measure | Diagnostic category | Cut Scores* | Critical Change (Unstandardized Scores) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A | B | C | 95% | 90% | SEdifference | ||
Benchmarks Based on Published Norms | |||||||
CBCL T-scores (2001 Norms) |
Total | 49 | 70 | 58 | 5 | 4 | 2.4 |
Externalizing | 49 | 70 | 58 | 7 | 6 | 3.4 | |
Internalizing | N/A | 70 | 56 | 9 | 7 | 4.5 | |
Attention Problems | N/A | 66 | 58 | 8 | 7 | 4.2 | |
TRF T-Scores (2001 Norms) |
Total | N/A | 70 | 57 | 5 | 4 | 2.3 |
Externalizing | N/A | 70 | 56 | 6 | 5 | 3.0 | |
Internalizing | N/A | 70 | 55 | 9 | 7 | 4.4 | |
Attention Problems | N/A | 66 | 57 | 5 | 4 | 2.3 | |
Conners 3-Teacher Rating Scale T-Scores | ADHD Inattentive | 36 | 74 | 57 | 11 | 10 | 5.6 |
ADHD Hyperactive-Impulsive | 36 | 74 | 57 | 11 | 9 | 5.5 | |
Conners 3-Parent Rating Scale T-Scores | ADHD Inattentive | 37 | 72 | 58 | 10 | 10 | 5.6 |
ADHD Hyperactive-Impulsive | 37 | 72 | 58 | 10 | 8 | 4.7 | |
Benchmarks Based on ADHD Samples[29] | |||||||
Disruptive Behavior Disorders Rating Scale | 1.4 | 8.6 | 5.7 | 12 | 10 | 0.9 |
Note: “A” = Away from the clinical range, “B” = Back into the nonclinical range, “C” = Closer to the nonclinical than clinical mean. [30]
Search terms: [ADHD or CONNERS or DBD] AND [clinical significance OR group means] in PsycINFO
Treatment
[edit | edit source]- Please refer to the Wikipedia page on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder for more information on available treatment for ADHD or go to Effective Child Therapy for a curated resource on effective treatments for ADHD.
ADHD Treatment Information
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Executive summary[edit | edit source]1. If intervening with children ages 4-5, behavior therapy should be the first line of treatment. 2. If intervening with children ages 6-11, behavior therapy should be the first line of treatment, in conjunction with medication. 3. If intervening with children ages 12-18, medication should probably be the first line of treatment, though behavior therapy could be used in combination. 4. Three types of therapeutic interventions have well established evidence-bases:
5. If considering a classroom management intervention:
Clinical practice guidelines[edit | edit source]Published by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2011.[31]
Behavioral therapies[edit | edit source]These meet the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Psychological Association Task Force criteria for well-established evidence-based treatments. Descriptions and effect sizes are taken from the American Academy of Pediatrics' guidelines[31] and Pelham & Fabiano's review article.[32]
School based interventions[edit | edit source]
Findings from a review by DuPaul and colleagues.[27]
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Wiki Resources & Item Content Overlap
[edit | edit source]Portfolio Theme | Wikipedia Article | Wikiversity Article |
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Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) | Yes | No |
Attention | Yes | No |
Hyperactivity | No | No |
Externalizing Disorders | Yes | No |
Scale | Wikipedia Article | Wikiversity Article | Source Papers |
---|---|---|---|
Attention sub scale from the Pediatric Symptom Checklist 17 (PSC-17) | Yes | No | Gardner et al., 1999 |
ADHD DSM-Oriented Scale fom the Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 6-18 (CBCL-ADHD) | Yes *Not specific to ADHD module | No | Achenbach & Resorla, 2001 |
IOWA Conners Rating Scale | No | No | Loney & Milich, 1982 |
Attention problems hyperactivity sub scales from the Behavioral Assessment System for Children - Third Edition - Parent Rating Scale for Children (BASC-3-PRS-C) | No | No | Reynolds & Kamphaus, 2015 |
Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Parent Rating Scale | Yes | Yes | Wolraich et al., 2003 |
Strengths and Weaknesses of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms and Normal Behavior Scale (SWAN) | No | No | Swanson et al., 2001 |
Disruptive Behavior Disorders Rating Scale (DBDRS) | Yes | Yes | Pelham et al., 1992 |
DSM Hyperactivity and Inattention sub scales from the Conners Parent Rating Scale - 4 (CPRS-4) | Yes | No | Gurley, 2011 |
ADHD Rating Scale 5 (ADHD-RS5) | Yes *Not specific to the 5th edition | No | DuPaul et al., 2016 |
ADHD Symptom Checklist 4 (ADHD-SC-4) | No | No | Sprafkin & Gadow, 2001 |
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-5) | Yes | No |
External Links
[edit | edit source]- Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology
- EffectiveChildTherapy.Org information on ADHD
- Establishing a School-Home Daily Report Card
- What Parents and Teachers Should Know About ADHD (Fact Sheet)
- Psychosocial Interventions for ADHD
- ADHD Medication Information Sheet for Parents and Teachers
References
[edit | edit source]Click here for references
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