These scales should NOT be used alone to make any diagnosis. You must take into consideration information from multiple sources. Scores of 2 or 3 on a single Symptom question reflect often-occurring behaviors. Scores of 4 or 5 on Performance questions reflect problems in performance.
The initial assessment scales, parent and teacher, have 2 components: symptom assessment and impairment in performance. On both the parent and teacher initial scales, the symptom assess- ment screens for symptoms that meet criteria for both inattentive (items 1–9) and hyperactive ADHD (items 10–18).
To meet DSM-IV criteria for the diagnosis, one must have at least 6 positive responses to either the inattentive 9 or hyperactive 9 core symptoms, or both. A positive response is a 2 or 3 (often, very often) (you could draw a line straight down the page and count the positive answers in each subsegment). There is a place to
record the number of positives in each subsegment, and a place for total score for the first 18 symptoms (just add them up).
The initial scales also have symptom screens for 3 other comorbidities—oppositional-defiant, conduct, and anxiety/ depression. These are screened by the number of positive respon- ses in each of the segments separated by the “squares.” The specific item sets and numbers of positives required for each co-morbid symptom screen set are detailed below.
The second section of the scale has a set of performance measures, scored 1 to 5, with 4 and 5 being somewhat of a problem/problem- atic. To meet criteria for ADHD there must be at least one item of the Performance set in which the child scores a 4 or 5; ie, there must be impairment, not just symptoms to meet diagnostic criteria. The sheet has a place to record the number of positives (4s, 5s) and an Average Performance Score—add them up and divide by number of Performance criteria answered.