ASRS v1.1
Adult ADHD
Self-Report Scale
Updated: 1/7/2026
1. What the ASRS v1.1 Is (and What It Isn’t)
The ASRS v1.1 (Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale) is a brief, research-backed screening questionnaire that helps you check for patterns commonly associated with adult ADHD - including attention, organization, follow-through, restlessness, and impulsivity. It’s based on ADHD symptom criteria and is widely used as a starting point in clinical settings.
It is not a diagnosis. A positive screen doesn’t “prove” you have ADHD, and a negative screen doesn’t automatically rule it out. What it can do is help you name what you’re experiencing and decide what kind of support or evaluation might be worth pursuing next.
2. Who is the ASRS v1.1 for?
The ASRS v1.1 is designed for adults (18+) who want a clearer sense of whether their day-to-day challenges may be consistent with ADHD.
It can be especially helpful if you:
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often feel “behind” even when you’re trying hard
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struggle with starting, prioritizing, or finishing tasks
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lose track of time, misplace things, or forget details you genuinely care about
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feel mentally “noisy,” restless, or driven by urgency
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have a history of inconsistent performance—especially under low structure
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are late-identified, high-masking, or “high-achieving but exhausted”
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A note for neurodivergence: ADHD-like struggles can also be shaped by sleep deprivation, anxiety, trauma, depression, burnout, sensory overload, chronic stress, and unrealistic demands. Screening is one piece of the picture - not a moral judgment and not a character flaw.
3. What to expect when taking the ASRS v1.1
Most people finish the screener in 4-6 minutes.
You’ll answer how often each statement has been true for you over the past 6 months, using a 5-point scale:
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Never
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Rarely
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Sometimes
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Often
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Very often
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If you find yourself thinking “it depends,” that’s normal - answer based on what’s most true across typical weeks (not your best week or your worst).
4. Understanding your score
The 18-question ASRS v1.1 consists of two parts:
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Part A - Primary screen (questions 1-6)
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Part B - Additional Details (questions 7-18)​
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Part A
The first 6 items are the most predictive and are treated as the main screener. A score of 4 or more is considered a positive screen - meaning your results are consistent with patterns often seen in adult ADHD and it’s worth considering a formal assessment (especially if these patterns have been present over time in multiple settings).
Part B
The remaining 12 items are intended to provide insight into how ADHD traits are impacting you.
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Inattention Subscale: how often focus and task-management slip - losing track of time, forgetting details, procrastinating, misplacing items, trouble organizing, etc. In adults it often looks like inconsistent focus unless there’s urgency, novelty, or strong structure.
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Hyperactivity-impulsivity subscale: how often you feel internally or physically “wound up” and struggle to pause - restlessness, fidgeting, interrupting, impatience, making snap decisions, etc. Children may exhibit more pronounced external behavior, but in adults it’s often more internal - a busy mind and difficulty calming down.
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Note: The ASRS v1.1 only provides a preliminary view. If your scores appear to be low but you’re high-masking, high-achieving, or running on urgency to function - that experience matters. Many adults look "fine", but struggle unnecessarily with ADHD symptoms that are treatable.​
5. Next steps
If your screen is positive
A positive screen is a signal to consider:
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a comprehensive ADHD evaluation (especially if symptoms have been lifelong, not just recent)
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exploring whether anxiety, depression, trauma, sleep issues, or burnout are amplifying symptoms
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practical supports that reduce friction immediately (even before a formal diagnosis)
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Helpful prep if you pursue an evaluation:
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jot down examples of how symptoms show up in daily life
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note when you first remember these patterns (school, home, work)
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bring any prior records (report cards, past diagnoses, therapy history) if you have them
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If your screen is negative, but you’re still struggling
That’s valid. Executive functioning can crash under stress, and many high-masking adults underreport symptoms because they’ve learned to push through at a cost. If life feels unsustainably hard, that’s worth support regardless of a screener result.
Practical next steps you can take right now
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Choose one problem area to support first (time blindness, task initiation, forgetfulness, overwhelm).
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Add scaffolding: reminders you can’t ignore, body doubling, shorter task starts, fewer steps, external structure.
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Consider work/school accommodations if appropriate (written instructions, reduced context switching, flexible timelines where possible).
6. Additional Resources
If you are interested in further support, learn more about the expertise available here at ScienceWorks!
Our unique care model spans three essential domains to function as a “one-stop-shop” for mental health.
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Assessments: Understand yourself and your treatment better with assessments for ADHD, autism, and general diagnostics. Our custom packages are efficient and affordable.
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Therapy: Dynamic, evidence-based treatments for a wide range of conditions – get an individualized treatment plan with targeted therapies adapted for your brain and your objectives to support the whole person.
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Coaching: Understand your neurotype and enhance treatment outcomes by turning therapeutic concepts into everyday skills to maximize their benefits.
Note: Screeners cannot be used to diagnose or treat any mental health condition - nor can they be used to replace dedicated care from a qualified professional. They can be a helpful tool when searching for, or working with, a professional. If you have questions about applicability, please contact us!