1. Kristen Davidson Alyssa Heggen Lauren Lafayette
ADHD Rating Scale-IV
Kristen Davidson
Alyssa Heggen
Lauren Lafayette

2. Description and Purpose
Norm-referenced checklist measuring symptoms of ADHD
Measures both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive type
Home and school version
18-item questionnaire using a Likert Scale
Approximately 5 minutes to complete
The purpose….
Means of gathering data regarding frequency of behaviors from teachers and parents
Used by clinicians to screen, diagnose, or evaluate treatment of ADHD

3. Development of ADHD Rater Scale-IV
Created in 1998 by George J. DuPaul, Thomas J. Power, Arthur D. Anastopoulos, and Robert Reid
Unlike other ADHD measurements, the ADHD Rater Scale-IV provides clinicians with parent AND teacher ratings using DSM-IV guidelines
Developed using a 4-point Likert Scale method
Each scale item represents a symptoms described by the DSM-IV, without the use of “often”

4. Setting and Client Population
Ages 4-20
Any ethnicity or sex
Versions for parents and teachers
Parent version is available in Spanish
Administration of both types is preferable

5. Normative Data School Version:
Participants ranged from ages 4-19 years in age
Most children attended general education vs. special education (1816 to 161)
Participants were identified as living in one of four regions of the US (Midwest, Northeast, West, Northeast)
Racial distribution was Caucasian, African-American, Latino, Asian-American, and Native American
Home Version
Parents respondents identified themselves as Caucasian, African-American, Latino, Asian-American, and Native American
Families were primarily living in middle-class socioeconomic status
Parent respondents were 1,753 female and 244 male

6. Validity and Reliability
The reliability and validity of the Home and School versions of the ADHD Rating Scale-IV were evaluated
Results indicated adequate levels of internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and cross-informant agreement for both parent and teacher ratings.
Discriminate validity-results found that both Home and School versions of ADHD Rating Scale-IV were found to discriminate significantly between children with and without ADHD.
Further the ADHD Rating Scale-IV can be used to differentiate between children with ADHD from other clinic-referred children as well as differentiate among the combined and inattentive subtypes of ADHD
Additional research is needed to verify the generalizability of the properties and utility of this scale across geographic regions, ethnic groups and socioeconomic groups.

7. Scoring ADHD Rating Scale-IV
Results are described in terms of the Inattention and Hyperactivity- Impulsivity subscales, the total score, and percentile ranks for each score.
The Inattention subscale is scored by summing the responses on all the odd-numbered items (Items 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17).
The Hyperactivity-Impulsivity subscale is scored by summing the responses on all the even-numbered items (Items 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18).
Using the child’s gender and age (and the appendix), raw scores are converted to percentile scores.
If an item on the rating scale is missed, the respondent should be directed to provide an answer. If 3 or more items are skipped by the respondent, extreme caution should be used in interpreting the scale for any of the intended purposes.

8. Strengths and Weaknesses
-based on the DSM-IV
-completed in 5 minutes
-sound psychometric features
-can be used with other assessments
-normative sample closely matches census data
Weaknesses:
-data was not provided separately for ethnic groups
-particular hesitant in terms of over diagnosis in African-American boys
-more research needs to be done to determine the best use in all multi-cultural groups as well as the difference in setting between the scales

9. Availability and Qualifications Needed
Addwarehouse.com  $55.00
Includes teacher and parent report with permission to copy as many times as needed
Must fill out a “Qualification Form” from the website (in accordance with the ethical and professional standards of the American Psychological Association and the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing) before being eligible to purchase the test
Purchasers of this type of test must have completed graduate level courses in tests/measurement or have received equivalent documented training.

10. ADHD Rating Scale-IV as a Counseling Tool
The purpose of this scale is to provide clinicians with a means of gathering information regarding the frequency of certain behaviors from teachers and parents. This information may be used by clinicians to screen, diagnose, or evaluate treatment of ADHD.
Quick and easy way to gather more information from important stakeholders invested in the child’s education and well-being.
Treatment and intervention can begin as soon as the results are available after the first session
Allows parents to take an active role in child’s education

11. Reference Page
A.D.D. WareHouse. (2009). A.D.D. WareHouse. Retrieved from iv.html
Anastopoulos, A.D. & Shelton, T.L. (2001). Assessing attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers.
DuPaul, G.J., Power T.J., Anastopoulos, A.D. & Reid, R. (1998). ADHD rating scale-IV: checklists norms, and clinical interpretation. New York: Guilford.
DuPaul, G.J., Power, T.J., McGoey, K.E., Ikeda, M.J., & Anastopoulos, A.D. (1998). Reliability and validity of parent and teacher ratings of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder symptoms. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 16,
Pappas, D. (2006). Review of 'ADHD rating scale-IV: Checklists, norms, and clinical interpretation'. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 24, doi: /