The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1) is an 18-item self-report screener developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the ADHD Working Group at Harvard Medical School (Kessler et al., 2005). It measures inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms over the past 6 months in adults aged 18 and older, using DSM-IV and DSM-5 criteria. Part A (6 items) is the validated screener: a score of 4 or more indicates a positive screen for ADHD. The 18-item full scale total ranges from 0–72, with a cutoff of ≥14 used in some clinical protocols. In validation studies, the ASRS-v1.1 achieved an AUC of 0.904, with sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 88%. Zentake's digital ASRS-v1.1 delivers this screener via HIPAA-compliant forms with automated scoring and EMR-ready results.
The ASRS-v1.1 uses a 5-point frequency scale: 0 = Never, 1 = Rarely, 2 = Sometimes, 3 = Often, 4 = Very Often. Scoring depends on the item:
Part A (items 1–6): Score ranges from 0–6. A score of 4 or more is a positive screen and warrants clinical follow-up (Kessler et al., 2005).
Full 18-item scale: Total score ranges from 0–72. A total of 14 or higher is associated with ADHD symptom burden in population norms (Silverstein et al., 2018).
Zentake automatically calculates Part A and total ASRS scores upon form submission, flagging positive screens for clinician review without any manual tabulation.
Step 1: Select the appropriate population. The ASRS-v1.1 is validated for adults aged 18 and older. It is not designed for pediatric use — consider the Conners' scales or SNAP-IV for children. Zentake lets you configure intake routing so the ASRS automatically reaches the right patients.
Step 2: Deliver the form before the clinical encounter. Send the ASRS-v1.1 to patients via Zentake's secure patient portal or text/email link in advance of their appointment. Patients complete it on any device, reducing wait room time and maximizing face-to-face clinical time.
Step 3: Instruct the patient clearly. Ask the patient to reflect on how they have felt and conducted themselves over the past 6 months and select the frequency that best applies to each item. Zentake's mobile-friendly form includes built-in instructions on the same screen.
Step 4: Review auto-calculated scores. Zentake's calculation engine scores Part A and the full 18-item scale automatically upon submission. Clinicians receive the scored result in their dashboard before the patient is seen, allowing focused interview preparation.
Step 5: Follow up with a diagnostic interview. The ASRS is a screener, not a diagnostic instrument. A positive Part A (≥4) should prompt a structured clinical interview covering DSM-5 ADHD criteria, developmental history, and functional impairment across settings. Zentake supports longitudinal tracking so you can re-administer the ASRS at follow-up visits and monitor symptom change over time.
Scoring: Paper requires manual item-by-item scoring with attention to different thresholds for different items — a source of frequent errors. Zentake applies the exact scoring algorithm automatically.
Completion: Paper forms are typically handed out in the waiting room, creating bottlenecks. Zentake sends the ASRS before the appointment so patients arrive pre-screened.
Delivery: Paper depends on in-person visits. Zentake supports text, email, or portal delivery — ideal for telehealth and multi-site practices.
Data Storage: Paper forms require filing and scanning. Zentake stores all responses in encrypted, HIPAA-compliant cloud storage with instant retrieval.
Longitudinal Tracking: Tracking symptom change over time with paper requires manual comparison of multiple forms. Zentake's Measures dashboard graphs ASRS scores across visits automatically.
Security: Paper can be lost, misfiled, or accessed without authorization. Zentake provides role-based access controls and full audit logging.
Integration: Paper scores must be manually entered into the EHR. Zentake integrates with leading EMR systems to push results directly to the patient record.
Cost: Paper incurs printing, storage, and labor costs. Zentake eliminates these with a scalable digital workflow.
What does the ASRS-v1.1 measure?
The ASRS-v1.1 measures the frequency of 18 ADHD symptoms — covering both inattention (e.g., difficulty sustaining attention, forgetfulness, disorganization) and hyperactivity-impulsivity (e.g., fidgeting, interrupting others, difficulty relaxing) — as experienced over the past 6 months. It is based on DSM-IV/DSM-5 ADHD criteria and was developed by the WHO ADHD Working Group. Zentake's digital version delivers these 18 items with branching and auto-scoring built in.
How do you score the ASRS-v1.1?
Part A (items 1–6) uses a binary scoring rule with item-specific frequency thresholds: a score of 4 or more out of 6 is a positive screen. The full 18-item scale is scored 0–72; a total of 14 or above indicates significant ADHD symptom burden. Zentake applies these rules automatically so clinicians see a scored result the moment the patient submits.
How long does the ASRS-v1.1 take to complete?
Most adults complete the ASRS-v1.1 in 5–10 minutes. The 6-item Part A screener takes approximately 2–3 minutes. Zentake's mobile-friendly interface is optimized for quick completion on any device.
Is the ASRS-v1.1 free to use?
The ASRS-v1.1 is freely available from the WHO and Harvard Medical School for clinical and research use. Zentake provides a pre-built, auto-scoring digital version of the ASRS-v1.1 as part of its template library — start your free trial to access it.
What age or population is the ASRS-v1.1 validated for?
The ASRS-v1.1 is validated for adults aged 18 and older. It has also been studied in adolescent community samples (Jarrett et al., 2019), though the primary validation is in adults. For children and adolescents, the Conners' or SNAP-IV scales are typically preferred.
Who should administer the ASRS-v1.1?
The ASRS-v1.1 is a self-report screener that patients complete independently. It is typically deployed by psychiatrists, psychologists, primary care physicians, or other licensed clinicians as part of an ADHD evaluation. Results should always be interpreted in the context of a clinical interview and full developmental history — not used as a standalone diagnosis.
Can the ASRS-v1.1 diagnose ADHD?
No. The ASRS-v1.1 is a screener, not a diagnostic instrument. A positive screen (Part A ≥4) indicates that symptoms consistent with ADHD are present and that further evaluation is warranted. A formal ADHD diagnosis requires a comprehensive clinical assessment including DSM-5 criteria, symptom onset before age 12, functional impairment across multiple settings, and ruling out other explanations.
How does the ASRS-v1.1 differ from the ASRS-v1.1 Screener?
The "ASRS-v1.1 Screener" refers specifically to Part A — the 6-item subset most predictive of ADHD. The full ASRS-v1.1 Symptom Checklist includes all 18 items. Clinicians often use Part A for rapid screening and review Part B items to inform the clinical interview. Zentake includes both parts in a single digital form with separate auto-scored outputs.
1. Kessler RC, Adler L, Ames M, et al. The World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS): a short screening scale for use in the general population. Psychological Medicine. 2005;35(2):245–256. doi:10.1017/S0033291704003265
2. Silverstein MJ, Alperin S, Faraone SV, Kessler RC, Adler LA. Establishing US norms for the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1) and characterising symptom burden among adults with self-reported ADHD. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research. 2018;27(1):e1650.
3. Jarrett MA, Wolff JC, Davis TE, et al. Evidence for the reliability and preliminary validity of the Adult ADHD Self‐Report Scale v1.1 (ASRS v1.1) Screener in an adolescent community sample. JCPP Advances. 2019. PMC6877133.
Last updated: March 2026
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