The Conners scale can be used to screen children and adults for ADHD. However, research is mixed on its effectiveness. Regardless, it should not be the only assessment used when diagnosing ADHD.
The Conners Comprehensive Behavior Rating Scales (Conners CBRS) is used to assess attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in both children and adults.
Based on your responses, your psychologist can better determine whether you or your child has ADHD. They can also look for signs of other emotional, behavioral, or academic markers.
There are three Conners CBRS forms for children 6 to 18 years old:
- one for parents
- one for teachers
- a self-report to be completed by the child (for those 8 to 18 years old)
The long versions are often used as initial evaluations, while the short version can be used to monitor your child’s response to treatment over time.
The Connors forms can be administered and interpreted by psychiatrists, psychologists, and general health physicians. A healthcare professional will interpret and summarize the results for each child and review the findings with you. Comprehensive reports can be prepared and sent to your child’s doctor with your permission.
A 2019 study involving children, adults, and teachers in Italy found that the short forms were a reliable tool for assessing ADHD and related conditions.
The Conners CBRS can also be used to evaluate behaviors in people 18 years old and older. The adult test is referred to as Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS).
There are two forms for adults:
- one for the person seeking evaluation
- one for an observer
The areas evaluated are similar to those in the form for children.
A 2019 study in Japanese adults found that CAARS was satisfactory in reliability, consistency, and concurrent validity. However, the researchers noted that the findings may not be applicable to other cultures.
A 2021 study included 242 adults with ADHD and 242 adults who were instructed to act as if they had ADHD. In this scenario, the researchers found that the test could not make accurate diagnoses at an adequate rate.
One older study from 2016 found that CAARS had a wide range of consistency, specifically for women in the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms subscale. Another 2016 study in 249 people found that the test had a high false-positive and false-negative rate.
While CAARS can be an effective screening tool, it is not recommended for use as the sole method of diagnosing ADHD. Given its mixed consistency, other diagnostic tests should be used to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
Once you’ve completed the form, your doctor will evaluate the results. The form compiles scores in each of the following areas:
- emotional distress
- aggressive behaviors
- academic difficulties
- language difficulties
- math difficulties
- hyperactivity
- social problems
- separation fears
- perfectionism
- compulsive behaviors
- violence potential
- physical symptoms
Your psychiatrist, psychologist, or general health physician will total the scores from each test area, assign the raw scores to each scale’s correct age group column, and convert the scores to standardized scores, known as T-scores.
Your doctor will tell you what your or your child’s T-scores mean.
Scores will fall into one of the following ranges:
- T-scores above 60: You or your child may have an emotional, behavioral, or academic problem, such as ADHD.
- T-scores from 61 through 70: You or your child may have emotional, behavioral, or academic problems that are slightly atypical or moderately severe.
- T-scores above 70: You or your child may have emotional, behavioral, or academic problems that are very atypical or more severe.
T-scores are also converted into percentile scores. Percentile scores can help you see how severe your or your child’s ADHD symptoms are in comparison to those of other people of the same age.
A diagnosis of ADHD depends on the areas of the Conners CBRS in which your or your child’s scores are atypical and how atypical the scores are.
Conners CBRS forms can be used during follow-up appointments to rate the behavior of a person with ADHD. This can help doctors and parents monitor how well certain medications or behavior modification techniques are working.
Doctors may want to prescribe a different drug if the current treatment has not helped to address symptoms. Parents may also want to adopt new behavior modification techniques.
You can talk with your doctor about taking the test if you suspect that you or your child may have ADHD. While it is not a definitive or purely objective test, it can be a helpful tool.
Limitations
Like any psychological evaluation tool, the Conners CBRS has limitations. Those who use this scale as a diagnostic tool for ADHD run the risk of incorrectly diagnosing the condition or failing to diagnose it.
It is recommended that the Conners CBRS be used along with other diagnostic measures, such as ADHD symptom checklists and attention span tests.
If you suspect that you or your child may have ADHD, you can talk with your doctor about seeing a specialist, such as a psychologist. Your psychologist may recommend that you complete a Conners CBRS.
While some studies raise concerns about the reliability of the Conners scale, particularly for adults, it can be an effective screening tool when combined with other tests.