Meaning of score for Section B of Adult ADHD Self Screening Tool

Q&A (Run by volunteers)
1

To whom it may concern,

Firstly, thank you ADHD UK for providing such an invaluable service. I really appreciate all the hard work that your organisation does. My question is about the scoring system for Section B of the ADHD Self-Screening Tool, and it probably has a fairly obvious answer.

In Section A, I scored 2 and it’s clear that because my score is less than 4 or more, it suggests that ADHD symptoms are perhaps not present at a level where further clinical investigation is recommended.

In terms of Section B, I fully understand that it’s not used on its own to diagnose ADHD, but to help build a picture of how symptoms can impact one’s daily life. However, if I got a score of 6 or more for example in Section B, how does that score determine if I have ADHD or not? Is there a score that one can get or below that will indicate to someone that the probability of them having ADHD is significantly low?

I also appreciate that this report is designed to support a conversation with a healthcare professional, and therefore, should be interpreted alongside clinical history and professional judgment. I would just like to know if I should still seriously consider getting tested for ADHD if I’m not showing enough traits or symptoms that are indicative of ADHD, that’s all.

I look forward to hearing from anyone at their earliest convenience.

Thanks

FYI - please see the image below, which was a reply from ADHD UK, for your reference

ADHD UK Reply
ADHD UK Reply1240×745 147 KB

2

Hi, thanks for posting and your encouragement. Good to have you here!

Similar to what you’ve said above, I’d recommend seeing the screener as an initial part of building a picture of your experiences and to support future conversations with a GP or others, and a more thorough assessment process, rather than as something you base final decisions on, or whether or not you consider the assessment process.

Alongside potentially hearing others’ experiences on this forum, it might be helpful to go along to a weekly drop in session or the support groups to hear from others who have had similar questions at this stage.

Although section B is a longer section than A, it is still an initial self assessment to give a brief indicator, and there isn’t an official lower score which determines a final verdict, and the recommendation is that it’s considered alongside clinical discussions and assessments.

Wishing you the best in the process whatever you decide :slight_smile: