Influence of assessment instrument on ADHD diagnosis

Posserud, M.-B., Ullebø, A. K., Plessen, K. J., Stormark, K. M., Gillberg, C. and Lundervold, A. J. (2013) Influence of assessment instrument on ADHD diagnosis. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 23(4), pp. 197-205. (doi: 10.1007/s00787-013-0442-6) (PMID:23824470)

Abstract

We compared four instruments commonly used to screen for and diagnose Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children. The Bergen Child Study included a DSM-IV ADHD symptom list and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) as screen in Phase one. Phase two included the parent Development and Well-Being Assessment (DAWBA), whereas Phase three comprised in-depth clinical assessment, including the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Aged Children (K-SADS). We compared ADHD as diagnosed by the four instruments in the children with normal intellectual functioning participating in all three phases (N = 234). The DSM-IV ADHD symptom list showed moderate agreement with all other instruments (κ = 0.53-0.57), whereas there was fair agreement between the K-SADS-DAWBA (κ = 0.31) and between SDQ-DAWBA (κ = 0.33). The DAWBA diagnosed fewer children with ADHD than did the other instruments. Implications for use of the instruments are discussed.

• Item Type: Articles
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Gillberg, Professor Christopher
• Authors: Posserud, M.-B., Ullebø, A. K., Plessen, K. J., Stormark, K. M., Gillberg, C., and Lundervold, A. J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Journal Name: European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• ISSN: 1018-8827
• ISSN (Online): 1435-165X