What is the Vanderbilt Assessment Scale?

The Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Rating Scale is a comprehensive assessment tool designed to evaluate attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and related functional impairments in children and adolescents aged 6-12 years.

Purpose and Use

• ADHD Diagnosis: Comprehensive evaluation of ADHD symptoms
• Screening: Initial identification of ADHD concerns
• Treatment Monitoring: Track symptom changes during treatment
• Functional Assessment: Evaluate impact on daily functioning

What It Measures

• Inattention Symptoms: 9 DSM-IV inattention criteria
• Hyperactivity/Impulsivity: 9 DSM-IV hyperactive-impulsive criteria
• Oppositional Defiant: Additional behavioral problems
• Anxiety/Depression: Co-occurring internalizing symptoms
• Performance: Academic and classroom functioning
• Conduct: Behavioral problems and social functioning

Scoring and Interpretation

• Symptom Rating: 0 (Never) to 3 (Very Often)
• Performance Rating: 1 (Excellent) to 5 (Problematic)
• Cutoff Scores: Based on symptom frequency and impairment
• DSM Criteria: Maps directly to diagnostic criteria

Clinical Applications

• Pediatric Care: Primary care ADHD assessment
• School Settings: Teacher ratings for educational planning
• Multidisciplinary: Parent and teacher input
• Treatment Planning: Guide intervention selection

Advantages

• DSM-IV aligned symptom assessment
• Multiple informant perspectives
• Functional impairment evaluation
• Brief and practical for clinical use
• Extensively validated in pediatric populations

Limitations

• Based on DSM-IV (not DSM-5)
• Requires multiple informants
• Parent and teacher versions needed
• Not diagnostic by itself