Scientific background: Vanderbilt (Parent, ADHD)
About this test
The Vanderbilt scales were developed by Mark Wolraich and colleagues based on DSM-IV criteria and validated in a large sample of referred children (Wolraich et al., 2003). They're among the most widely used ADHD screening instruments in U.S. pediatric primary care.
Dimensions
Inattention
9 items on inattention symptoms (criterion: 6 of 9).
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
9 items on hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms (criterion: 6 of 9).
Oppositional Defiant
8 items on oppositional, defiant behavior (criterion: 4 of 8).
Conduct
14 items on aggressive or rule-breaking behavior (criterion: 3 of 14).
Anxiety/Depression
7 items on anxious or low mood (criterion: 3 of 7).
Performance (School, Family, Social)
8 performance items on school, family, and social relationships. In the original procedure, at least one of these must be elevated for a symptom domain to count as clinically relevant.
Sources & license
Wolraich, M. L., Lambert, W., Doffing, M. A., Bickman, L., Simmons, T., & Worley, K. (2003). Psychometric properties of the Vanderbilt ADHD diagnostic parent rating scale in a referred population. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 28(8), 559–567.
The NICHQ Vanderbilt Assessment Scale (1st edition, © 2002 American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality) may be used freely with attribution. Item wording, subscale structure, and DSM-IV-aligned symptom thresholds were verified verbatim against the official 1st-edition Parent Informant form.
https://nichq.org/downloadable/nichq-vanderbilt-assessment-scales/