The utility of a DSM-IV-referenced screening instrument for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

In this study, we examined the clinical utility of the ADHD Symptom Checkli st-4 (ADHD-SC4), a screening measure for attention-deficit/hyperactivity di sorder (ADHD). The objectives were to assess the scale's concurrent, differ ential, and criterion validity Participants were 103 children between 5 and 17 years old referred to a child psychiatry outpatient service and diagnos ed as having a variety of emotional and behavioral disorders. Children were assessed with a battery of standardized assessment instruments and clinica l interviews. Clinical diagnoses were verified with an operationalized diag nostic criteria procedure. Parents and teachers completed several rating sc ales for each child, including the ADHD-SC4, the Child Behavior Checklist ( CBCL), the Teacher Report Form (TRF), and the IOWA Conners Teacher's Rating Scale. Findings support the internal consistency and validity of the ADHD- SC4 as a screening instrument for ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder and a ggressive behavior. Sensitivity for ADHD was relatively high, especially wh en information from both parent and teacher ratings was used to determine t he presence of symptoms. Eighty-five percent of the children with diagnosed ADHD received high (T greater than or equal to 70) ADHD-SC4 Symptom Severi ty scores. As expected, parent-teacher agreement was modest. ADHD-SC4 scale scores were highly correlated with corresponding CBCL, TRF, and IOWA Conne rs scale scores. The ADHD-SC4 appears to be a clinically useful screening i nstrument for ADHD.