ADHD Screening vs Diagnosis: What's the Difference?

A screener is a quick check that asks, "Is it worth looking into this further?" A diagnosis answers, "Does this person have ADHD?" They are different steps, and it helps to know which one you've done. Our adult ADHD screening page explains how to read your score.

What a screener does

Screeners like the ASRS are short, standardised and self-reported. They are designed to catch people who may have ADHD, so some people who screen positive will turn out not to have it. That's expected.

What a full assessment usually involves

• A detailed interview about your symptoms now and in childhood.
• Questions about how symptoms affect work, study, relationships and daily life.
• Checking for other conditions that can look like ADHD, such as anxiety, depression or sleep problems.
• Sometimes input from someone who knew you as a child, or old school reports.

Health services such as the NHS and healthdirect Australia describe the diagnosis process in more detail.

What to do after your result

If you screened positive, or your result didn't feel right, take your answers to a GP or mental health professional. If you haven't taken the test yet, try our free ADHD test — it takes about five minutes.