A 7-year-old is evaluated for ADHD; which rating scale is typically used for screening?

A 7-year-old is evaluated for ADHD; which rating scale is typically used for screening?

• A. Behavioral and Emotional Screening System for Children (BESS-2)
• B. Behavioral Assessment for Children - 2nd Ed. (BASC-2)
• C. Conner's 3 Parent and Teacher Rating Scale
• D. Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC)

Answer: (C)

ADHD screening in children relies on rating scales that capture how often and how severely symptoms occur in everyday life. The Conners' Rating Scale, completed by both parents and teachers, is specifically designed for this purpose. It targets the core ADHD domains of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity and provides standardized scores that help determine whether a child is likely to meet ADHD criteria and whether a full diagnostic evaluation is warranted. Using both parent and teacher reports is important because ADHD symptoms must be present in more than one setting; comparing observations across home and school helps distinguish ADHD from issues that only occur in one context. While other tools exist, they are broader behavioral or emotional checklists that aren’t as focused on ADHD symptoms. The Conners' scales are a practical, well-validated starter for screening, guiding next steps in assessment and treatment planning.

ADHD screening in children relies on rating scales that capture how often and how severely symptoms occur in everyday life. The Conners' Rating Scale, completed by both parents and teachers, is specifically designed for this purpose. It targets the core ADHD domains of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity and provides standardized scores that help determine whether a child is likely to meet ADHD criteria and whether a full diagnostic evaluation is warranted. Using both parent and teacher reports is important because ADHD symptoms must be present in more than one setting; comparing observations across home and school helps distinguish ADHD from issues that only occur in one context. While other tools exist, they are broader behavioral or emotional checklists that aren’t as focused on ADHD symptoms. The Conners' scales are a practical, well-validated starter for screening, guiding next steps in assessment and treatment planning.