Child ADHD Rapid Screening Checklist (Based on DSM-5 Criteria)

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The following checklist is adapted from the diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) by the American Psychiatric Association. This checklist is suitable for school-aged children between 6 and 16 years old. Please check the items based on the child’s daily behavior over the past 6 months or longer:If your child meets the symptoms in either the "Inattention" or "Hyperactivity/Impulsivity" category, they are considered to be at high risk. It is recommended to seek a further professional, standardized intelligence and attention assessment.

 

Core Symptoms Screening

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Inattention:

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✔Carelessness: Frequently overlooks details and makes careless mistakes in schoolwork or activities.

✔Difficulty Sustaining Attention: Struggles to maintain focus for an extended period during classes, play, or tasks.

✔Apparent Inattentiveness: Often appears distracted and seems as though they are not listening, even when spoken to directly.

✔Lack of Follow-Through: Frequently fails to follow through on instructions and fails to complete schoolwork, chores, or assigned duties.

✔Disorganization: Experiences severe difficulties in planning tasks, organizing activities, or managing time.

✔Avoiding Mental Effort: Frequently avoids, dislikes, or resists activities that require sustained mental effort (e.g., doing homework, crafting).

✔Losing Things: Often loses items necessary for daily life or learning (e.g., textbooks, pencils, personal belongings).

✔Easily Distracted: Highly susceptible to being distracted by subtle background noises or environmental changes.

✔Forgetfulness: Very forgetful in daily activities (e.g., forgetting to bring the homework log, forgetting scheduled plans).

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Hyperactivity / Impulsivity:

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✔Constant Fidgeting: Frequently squirms in their seat, fidgets with their hands or feet, or rocks their chair.

✔Inappropriate Seat Leaving: Frequently leaves their seat in situations where remaining seated is expected (e.g., during class, at dinnertime).

✔Excessive Motor Activity: Runs about or climbs excessively in inappropriate situations, or constantly acts as if driven by a motor (like a “fully charged battery”).

✔Inability to Play Quietly: Struggles to participate quietly in play or leisure activities.

✔Excessive Talking: Often talks excessively and cannot seem to stop chatting. 

✔Blurting Out Answers: Rushes to answer before a question has been fully stated, or frequently interrupts and intrudes on others' conversations. 

✔Lack of Patience: Demonstrates an extreme lack of patience and struggles to wait their turn in lines or during games. 

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Preliminary Assessment & Diagnostic Support Criteria

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Age of Onset: Several symptoms must have been present before the child reached 12 years of age. 

Cross-Setting Pervasiveness: These symptoms must be present in two or more settings (e.g., concurrently at home, school, or after-school care, rather than only appearing in one specific environment). 

Functional Impairment: These behaviors clearly, negatively impact the child's academic performance, social relationships, or daily functioning. 

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