Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS™)

Authors: C. Keith Conners, PhD; Drew Erhardt, PhD and Elizabeth Sparrow, PhD

Purpose: To help assess, diagnose and monitor treatment of ADHD in adults

Administer to: Individuals 18 years and older

Reading/Educational Level: 6th grade

Administration time: 10 – 30 minutes

Scoring Options: Hand-scorable / Bureau Service / Online

This multidimensional instrument helps assess the presence and severity of ADHD in adults. The CAARS™ elicit

self-report (CAARS-S) and observer ratings (CAARS-O) providing a multiple informant assessment of adult ADHD

symptoms and behaviours. The self-report and observer forms contain an identical set of scales, subscales, and

indexes.

The CAARS™ is available in a long, short and screening version. The CAARS:SV include the same 12-item ADHD

Index of the long and short CAARS™ forms and contain the DSM-IV™ ADHD Symptom Subscales (18 items that

relate to DSM-IV™ criteria for ADHD). The Screening Versions are ideal when insufficient time is available to

complete the lengthier forms.

Key Areas Measured:

Factor-Derived Subscales • DSM-IV ADHD Symptom Subscales • Inconsistency Index

Inattention/Memory Problems Inattentive Symptoms ADHD Index

Hyperactivity/Restlessness Total ADHD Symptoms

Impulsivity/Emotional Lability Hyperactive-Impulsive Symptoms

Problems with Self-Concept • •

Areas of Application

• Clinical research, rehabilitation, and correctional settings can use the CAARS™ to help identify, assess, and

treat adults with ADHD-related symptoms and behaviours.

• The Forensic Version assists in the identification and assessment of adults with ADHD related symptoms and

behaviours. Impulsivity plays a critical role in criminal behaviour and this facet of behaviour is formally

assessed by the CAARS™ forensic version relative to other offenders.

• To assist in identifying ADHD in a clinical setting and as an aid in choosing appropriate intervention

techniques.

Report Options

• Profile report: Presents scores for each of the scales, subscales and indexes graphically and numerically. It is

available for all three versions.

• Interpretive Report: Contains detailed descriptions of the scales, item responses and intervention strategy

suggestions. It is available for only the long and short versions.

Language

English

Related Tests

Conners’ Adult ADHD Diagnostic Interview for DSM-IV (CAADID): An empirically based structured

interview in two parts that aids the process of diagnosing ADHD in adults.

• Conners’ Continuous Performance Test II Version 5 (CPT II V.5): To assess attention problems and

treatment effectiveness.

• Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS): For use in correctional settings.