Which screening tool is used to evaluate ADHD symptoms in children 6-18?

Which screening tool is used to evaluate ADHD symptoms in children 6-18?

• 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 hinges on rating scales that capture how often specific symptoms occur in different settings, using input from people who know the child well. The Conners 3 Rating Scales are built exactly for this purpose: they target ADHD-related behaviors and map onto DSM-5 criteria, with separate forms for parents and teachers to rate what they observe at home and at school. In kids aged 6–18, this tool provides focused subscales for Inattention and Hyperactivity-Impulsivity, plus a Combined score and impairment indicators, helping determine whether symptom levels are clinically concerning and whether they impair functioning across contexts. Relying on multiple informants is key because ADHD symptoms should appear in more than one environment, and teachers often notice classroom-related patterns while parents see daily-life impacts. Other screening tools measure broad emotional or behavioral problems rather than ADHD-specific symptom patterns, so they aren’t as well-suited for identifying ADHD risk. A full evaluation would also include clinical interview and medical assessment to rule out other causes and to explore possible comorbidities.

ADHD screening hinges on rating scales that capture how often specific symptoms occur in different settings, using input from people who know the child well. The Conners 3 Rating Scales are built exactly for this purpose: they target ADHD-related behaviors and map onto DSM-5 criteria, with separate forms for parents and teachers to rate what they observe at home and at school. In kids aged 6–18, this tool provides focused subscales for Inattention and Hyperactivity-Impulsivity, plus a Combined score and impairment indicators, helping determine whether symptom levels are clinically concerning and whether they impair functioning across contexts. Relying on multiple informants is key because ADHD symptoms should appear in more than one environment, and teachers often notice classroom-related patterns while parents see daily-life impacts. Other screening tools measure broad emotional or behavioral problems rather than ADHD-specific symptom patterns, so they aren’t as well-suited for identifying ADHD risk. A full evaluation would also include clinical interview and medical assessment to rule out other causes and to explore possible comorbidities.