ADHD

Screening

There are many different screening tools available. We have listed a few that are readily available in the public domain (i.e. free) and user friendly for primary care. Other tools that providers may want to consider include the Conners’ Teacher & Parent ADHD Rating Scales, SNAP-IV, SWAN, ADDES-3. 

Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC)
The PSC is a broader screening tool for childhood behavioral concerns. While it is not specific to ADHD, it can be very useful to identify psychosocial issues within a primary care setting.

“The PSC can be completed by parents and contains 35 items for children and adolescents ages 6-16. It is available free in English and Spanish. The PSC is designed to alert clinicians early to difficulties in functioning that may indicate current or potential psychosocial problems, so that early intervention might be provided. It is used only as a screening tool and not to make a formal diagnosis or measure treatment interventions. The PSC takes 5-10 minutes to complete.”

PSC can be downloaded for free: http://psc.partners.org/psc_order.htm


Vanderbilt ADHD Rating Scales
“This initial assessment tool, for use with children ages 6-12, contains rating scales for symptoms and for impairment in academic and behavioral performance. Although this tool is not intended for diagnosis, it is widely used to provide information about symptom presence and severity, and performance in the classroom, home, and social settings. The Vanderbilt Scale takes 10 minutes to complete (Parent Form has 55 items and Teacher Form has 43 items).” http://www2.massgeneral.org/schoolpsychiatry/screening_adhd.asp

Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1) 

The ADHD Self-Report Scale consists of eighteen DSM-IV TR criteria for ADHD. 

Wender Utah Rating Scale - (for adults) 
A 61 point retrospective tool used in the assessment of AD/HD in adults. 


Treatment by PCP


Armstrong C. ICSI Releases Guideline on Diagnosis and Management of ADHD in Children. Am Fam Physician. 2011 Mar 15;83(6):762-768.


Gabriel Kaplan G & Newcorn J. Pharmacotherapy for Child and Adolescent Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Pediatr Clin N Am. 2011 (58) 99–120.


Wolraich M.  Caring for Children With ADHD: A Resource Toolkit for Clinicians, 2nd Edition American Academy of Pediatrics. 2011 ($85.45)
Note: 1st edition of the toolkit is available for download.

Wolraich M, Brown L, Brown RT, et al., Subcommittee on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Steering Committee on Quality Improvement and Management. ADHD: clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. Pediatrics. 2011;128(5):1007–1022.

Treatment by Behavioral Health Clinicians 

Clay R. Easing ADHD without meds: Psychologists are using research-backed behavioral interventions that effectively treat children with ADHD. Monitor on Psychology 2013, Vol 44, pg.44. 


Dupaul G, Kern L. Young Children With ADHD: Early Identification and Intervention. American Psychological Association, Washington DC. 2011.

Quinn P & Judith M. Stern J. Putting on the Brakes: Understanding and Taking Control of Your Add or ADHD. Magination. 2012. 

Ramsay R.  Nonmedication Treatments for Adult ADHD: Evaluating Impact on Daily Functioning and Well-Being.  American Psychological Association, Washington DC. 2010. 


Medications


FDA's Guide to ADHD Medications 

Medications Used in the Treatment of AD/HD. National Resource Center on AD/HD: A Program of CHADD