ADHD Rating Scale-5 (for children and adolescents)
Short answer
The ADHD Rating Scale-5 is a parent and teacher rating scale for children and adolescents aged 5 to 17, keyed to DSM-5 criteria and published by Guilford Press in 2016. It covers inattention and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms plus impairment. It is not for adults; clinicians and schools use it as one part of a child or teen evaluation.
If you searched for this scale, you are probably a parent, a teacher, or an adult wondering whether a childhood tool applies to you. The short answer for adults is no. The ADHD Rating Scale-5 was designed for young people, and adults use different instruments.
What it is
| Version | Completed by | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Home Version | Parents | English and Spanish; child (5 to 10) and adolescent (11 to 17) forms |
| School Version | Teachers | Classroom behavior; child and adolescent forms |
Why both home and school
A two-version scale fits that approach. A parent sees mornings, homework and bedtime; a teacher sees the classroom. Agreement and disagreement between them both tell a clinician something. A child who struggles only in one setting may be reacting to something specific there, while difficulties that show up everywhere point the conversation in a different direction. Either way, the forms open questions rather than close them.
Who uses it and how it is licensed
The scale is published as a professional manual. According to the publisher, mental health, educational and medical practitioners use it, scoring it against the manual's reference information. A parent might be handed the Home Version by a clinician, but interpreting it is the professional's job. We do not reproduce its items.
What it does not do
- It does not diagnose ADHD by itself. It is one input into an evaluation that also includes history and a medical exam.
- It does not rule out other explanations, such as hearing or vision problems, sleep issues or learning disabilities.
- It is not designed for adults, so an adult filling it out about themselves would not get a meaningful result.
- It does not tell a parent what to do next. That plan comes from the clinician after the whole evaluation.
Teachers see many children every day. Giving them a little notice and a short note about what you have seen at home can make their observations more specific
If you are an adult asking for yourself
Many parents start wondering about their own attention while going through a child's evaluation. That is common, and it makes sense: health agencies note that ADHD often runs in families. If that is where you are, look for an adult tool instead.
The free screener on ADHDFalcon is the official six-question ASRS v1.1, created for adults 18 and older. It asks about your own past six months, takes a few minutes, and shows the official outcome. Unlike the ADHD Rating Scale-5, it has no parent or teacher form, and it is a screener, not part of a child evaluation. A positive screen is a reason to talk with a clinician, not a diagnosis.
For parents preparing for a child's appointment
- What specific things do I see at home that I want the clinician to know about?
- Would my child's teacher be willing to complete a form or share observations?
- Has my child had a recent hearing and vision check?
A starting point for your next step.
If you are an adult wondering about your own attention, the free six-question ASRS v1.1 screener is designed for you.Frequently asked questions
Can adults use the ADHD Rating Scale-5?
No. It is designed for children and adolescents aged 5 to 17, completed by parents and teachers. Adults are evaluated with adult instruments.
Who fills out the ADHD Rating Scale-5?
A parent completes the Home Version and a teacher completes the School Version. A clinician scores and interprets them.
Is there a free adult screener?
Yes. The six-question ASRS v1.1 Screener for adults 18 and older is free on this site, and the official outcome is shown at no cost.
Sources
Source check: 2026-10-28. No medical review has occurred.
- The Guilford Press, "ADHD Rating Scale-5 for Children and Adolescents" by George J. DuPaul, Thomas J. Power, Arthur D. Anastopoulos and Robert Reid (2016), publisher product page
- CDC, Diagnosing ADHD
- NHS, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults
Published 2026-10-28. Factual source check: ADHDFalcon editorial team, factual source check, 2026-10-28. No medical review has occurred.