Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS)

Purpose: Measures the presence and severity of ADHD symptoms

Age: 18+ years

Time: 10 - 15 minutes for each form

The Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS) measures the presence and severity of ADHD symptoms so that you can determine whether ADHD is a contributing factor to your clients' difficulties. Suitable for clinical, research, rehabilitation, and correctional settings, the CAARS scales quantitatively measures ADHD symptoms across clinically significant domains, while examining the manifestations of those symptoms.

The CAARS provides a multiple-informant assessment with self-report (CAARS–S) and observer ratings (CAARS–O). Both ratings address the same behaviours and contain identical scales, subscales, and indexes. Long, short, and screening versions are available for each.

Long Forms

The long self-report (CAARS-S:L) and observer (CAARS-O:L) forms provide scores for all subscales, the ADHD Index and Inconsistency Index. The long versions provide the most detailed information upon which to base treatment plans.

Short Forms

The short self-report (CAARS-S:S) and observer (CAARS-O:S) forms examine and highlight key dimensions, making them ideal when time with a respondent is limited. The short versions are also often used during treatment to track progress over time. They include abbreviated versions of the factor-derived subscales that are in the long versions. The ADHD Index and the Inconsistency Index are included as well.

Screening Forms

The screening versions of the self-report (CAARS-S:SV) and observer (CAARS-O:SV) forms focus on DSM-IV criteria for quick ADHD identification. They include the DSM-IV ADHD subscales and the ADHD Index to screen for the possibility of ADHD

Scales

Factor-Derived Subscales

• Inattention/Memory Problems
• Hyperactivity/Restlessness
• Impulsivity/Emotional Lability
• Problems with Self-Concept

DSM-IV™ ADHD Subscales

• DSM-IV Inattentive Symptoms
• DSM-IV Hyperactive-Impulsive Symptoms
• DSM-IV Total ADHD Symptoms

ADHD Index

• Inconsistency Index