Scientific background: Vanderbilt (Parent, ADHD)

About this test

The Vanderbilt scales were developed by Mark Wolraich and colleagues based on DSM-IV criteria and validated in a large sample of referred children (Wolraich et al., 2003). They're among the most widely used ADHD screening instruments in U.S. pediatric primary care.

The validation study reports very high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha between .91 and .94 per subscale) and test-retest reliability above .80. When checked against a combination of teacher ratings and a diagnostic interview, the parent-report scale alone reached a sensitivity of .80 and a specificity of .75 -- but a positive predictive value of only .19. In practice, that means most children flagged as elevated by the parent form alone don't end up confirmed on full evaluation. That's precisely why the original scale is never recommended for diagnosis on its own -- it needs to be combined with other sources such as a teacher rating and a clinical interview (see the note below).

Dimensions

Inattention

9 items on inattention symptoms (criterion: 6 of 9).

Hyperactivity/Impulsivity

9 items on hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms (criterion: 6 of 9).

Oppositional Defiant

8 items on oppositional, defiant behavior (criterion: 4 of 8).

Conduct

14 items on aggressive or rule-breaking behavior (criterion: 3 of 14).

Anxiety/Depression

7 items on anxious or low mood (criterion: 3 of 7).

Performance (School, Family, Social)

8 performance items on school, family, and social relationships. In the original procedure, at least one of these must be elevated for a symptom domain to count as clinically relevant.

Sources & license

Wolraich, M. L., Lambert, W., Doffing, M. A., Bickman, L., Simmons, T., & Worley, K. (2003). Psychometric properties of the Vanderbilt ADHD diagnostic parent rating scale in a referred population. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 28(8), 559–567.
The NICHQ Vanderbilt Assessment Scale (1st edition, © 2002 American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality) may be used freely with attribution. Item wording, subscale structure, and DSM-IV-aligned symptom thresholds were verified verbatim against the official 1st-edition Parent Informant form.
https://nichq.org/downloadable/nichq-vanderbilt-assessment-scales/

This questionnaire is meant as a starting point for a conversation with a pediatrician or a child and adolescent therapist -- on its own, it is not a diagnosis. The original scale is explicitly not recommended for diagnosis by itself; that always requires information from multiple sources (e.g. an additional rating from teachers). If scores are elevated -- especially in the oppositional behavior or conduct domains -- talk to a professional promptly.

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Child Development & Behavior: Information, Action Tips & Help →

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ADHD in Children: The Path to Diagnosis →

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