4. When to refer?
ADHD symptoms checklist – Child
Inattention
- Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork or tasks
- Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
- Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
- Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties
- Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
- Often avoids, dislikes, or reluctantly engages in tasks requiring sustained mental effort
- Often loses things necessary for activities (e.g., toys, school assignments, pencils, or books)
- Often is distracted by extraneous stimuli
- Often is forgetful in daily activities
Are 5/9 symptoms present in more than one area such as home and school?
Hyperactivity
- Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat
- Often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected
- Often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate
- Often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
- Often is “on the go” or often acts as if “driven by a motor”
- Often talks excessively
- Often blurts out answers before questions have been completed
- Often has difficulty awaiting turn
- Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations/games)
Impulsivity
Are 5/9 symptoms present in more than one area such as Home and school?
Overall if 5/9 symptoms of either Inattention or hyperactivity/ Impulsivity are present after the age of 6 for more than 6 months and are causing problems for the child in their home life or school learning. Consider a referral to secondary organisations such as community paediatrics.
ADHD symptoms checklist – Adult
Inattention
- Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in their work or activities
- Often has difficulty sustaining attention on tasks or work activities
- Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
- Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish work, chores, or duties
- Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
- Often avoids, dislikes, or reluctantly engages in tasks requiring sustained mental effort
- Often loses things necessary for activities
- Often is distracted by extraneous stimuli
- Often is forgetful in daily activities
Are 5/9 symptoms present in more than one area such as Home and Work?
Hyperactivity
- Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat
- Often leaves seat at work or in other situations which remaining seated is expected
- Often is excessively active in situations in which it is inappropriate
- Often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
- Often is “on the go” or often acts as if “driven by a motor”
- Often talks excessively
- Often blurts out answers before questions have been completed
- Often has difficulty awaiting turn
- Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations/games)
Impulsivity
Are 5/9 symptoms present in more than one area such as Home and Work?
Overall if 5/9 symptoms of either Inattention or hyperactivity/ Impulsivity are present and were also present in childhood before the age of 12 and are causing problems for the person in their home or work life. Consider a referral to secondary organisations such as Adult mental health services.