How to Use the Adult ADHD ASRS Self-Report Screener
The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) was co-developed by the World Health Organization and researchers at Harvard Medical School, and it's one of the most widely used self-report screeners in clinical practice worldwide. This tool uses the original six-item Part A section, the subset shown to be most predictive for screening purposes, asking how often each item applied to you over the past six months on a five-point scale.
Each item in the official scale carries its own threshold: items 1-3 count only when you select "Sometimes" or higher, items 4-5 need "Often" or higher, and item 6 needs "Very Often." When 4 or more of the 6 items meet their threshold, that pattern has been shown to correlate strongly with adult ADHD symptoms, which is interpreted as a signal that a professional evaluation may be worth pursuing.
Keep in mind that ASRS Part A is strictly a screening tool, and meeting the threshold does not mean you are diagnosed with ADHD. Conversely, not meeting the threshold doesn't fully rule out ADHD if you continue to experience real difficulties in daily functioning. An accurate diagnosis requires an interview with a licensed mental health professional, developmental history review, and further evaluation, so treat this result only as a reference point for deciding whether to seek that conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. ASRS is a screening tool — meeting the threshold is a signal that a professional evaluation may be worthwhile, not a diagnosis. An accurate diagnosis requires an interview and evaluation by a licensed clinician.
The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) was co-developed by the World Health Organization and Harvard Medical School, and its 6-item Part A screener is used worldwide.
This result is only a reference screening indicator, and a low score doesn't fully rule out ADHD. If daily functioning difficulties persist, consider talking with a professional regardless of this result.