NICHQ Vanderbilt Assessment Scale

Helps diagnose ADHD in children of 6 to 12 years based on parent and teacher input.

Refer to the text below the scales for more information about the NICHQ VAS.

The NICHQ Vanderbilt Assessment Scale consists of a symptom and impairment in performance evaluation that is used in the diagnostic of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children of 6 to 12 years, based on parent and teacher input.

The two assessments (parent and teacher) consist of three subtypes and 3 screens for other co-morbidities:

  • Predominantly Inattentive subtype;
  • Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive subtype;
  • ADHD Combined Inattention/Hyperactivity;
  • Oppositional-Defiant Disorder Screen;
  • Conduct Disorder Screen;
  • Anxiety/Depression Screen.

Instruction: Each rating should be considered in the context of what is appropriate for the age of your child. When completing this form, please think about your child’s behaviors in the past 6 months.

Symptoms

Never = 0 | Occasionally = 1 | Often = 2 | Very Often = 3

1Does not pay attention to details or makes careless mistakes with, for example, homework
NeverVery often
2Has difficulty keeping attention to what needs to be done
NeverVery often
3Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
NeverVery often
4Does not follow through when given directions and fails to finish activities (not due to refusal or failure to understand)
NeverVery often
5Has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
NeverVery often
6Avoids, dislikes, or does not want to start tasks that require ongoing mental effort
NeverVery often
7Loses things necessary for tasks or activities (toys, assignments, pencils, or books)
NeverVery often
8Is easily distracted by noises or other stimuli
NeverVery often
9Is forgetful in daily activities
NeverVery often
10Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat
NeverVery often
11Leaves seat when remaining seated is expected
NeverVery often
12Runs about or climbs too much when remaining seated is expected
NeverVery often
13Has difficulty playing or beginning quiet play activities
NeverVery often
14Is “on the go” or often acts as if “driven by a motor”
NeverVery often
15Talks too much
NeverVery often
16Blurts out answers before questions have been completed
NeverVery often
17Has difficulty waiting his or her turn
NeverVery often
18Interrupts or intrudes in on others’ conversations and/or activities
NeverVery often
19Argues with adults
NeverVery often
20Loses temper
NeverVery often
21Actively defies or refuses to go along with adults’ requests or rules
NeverVery often
22Deliberately annoys people
NeverVery often
23Blames others for his or her mistakes or misbehaviors
NeverVery often
24Is touchy or easily annoyed by others
NeverVery often
25Is angry or resentful
NeverVery often
26Is spiteful and wants to get even
NeverVery often
27Bullies, threatens, or intimidates others
NeverVery often
28Starts physical fights
NeverVery often
29Lies to get out of trouble or to avoid obligations (i.e. “cons” others)
NeverVery often
30Is truant from school (skips school) without permission
NeverVery often
31Is physically cruel to people
NeverVery often
32Has stolen things that have value
NeverVery often
33Deliberately destroys others’ property
NeverVery often
34Has used a weapon that can cause serious harm (bat, knife, brick, gun)
NeverVery often
35Is physically cruel to animals
NeverVery often
36Has deliberately set fires to cause damage
NeverVery often
37Has broken into someone else’s home, business, or car
NeverVery often
38Has stayed out at night without permission
NeverVery often
39Has run away from home overnight
NeverVery often
40Has forced someone into sexual activity
NeverVery often
41Is fearful, anxious, or worried
NeverVery often
42Is afraid to try new things for fear of making mistakes
NeverVery often
43Feels worthless or inferior
NeverVery often
44Blames self for problems, feels guilty
NeverVery often
45Feels lonely, unwanted, or unloved; complains that “no one loves him or her”
NeverVery often
46Is sad, unhappy, or depressed
NeverVery often
47Is self-conscious or easily embarrassed
NeverVery often

Performance

Excellent = 1 | Above Average = 2 | Average = 3 | Somewhat of a Problem = 4 | Problematic = 5

48Overall school performance
ExcellentProblematic
49Reading
ExcellentProblematic
50Writing
ExcellentProblematic
51Mathematics
ExcellentProblematic
52Relationship with parents
ExcellentProblematic
53Relationship with siblings
ExcellentProblematic
54Relationship with peers
ExcellentProblematic
55Participation in organized activities (e.g. teams)
ExcellentProblematic
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Instruction: Each rating should be considered in the context of what is appropriate for the age of the child you are rating and should reflect that child’s behavior since the beginning of the school year.

Symptoms

Never = 0 | Occasionally = 1 | Often = 2 | Very Often = 3

1Fails to give attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork
NeverVery often
2Has difficulty sustaining attention to tasks or activities
NeverVery often
3Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
NeverVery often
4Does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand)
NeverVery often
5Has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
NeverVery often
6Avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort
NeverVery often
7Loses things necessary for tasks or activities (school assignments, pencils, or books)
NeverVery often
8Is easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
NeverVery often
9Is forgetful in daily activities
NeverVery often
10Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat
NeverVery often
11Leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected
NeverVery often
12Runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which remaining seated is expected
NeverVery often
13Has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
NeverVery often
14Is “on the go” or often acts as if “driven by a motor”
NeverVery often
15Talks excessively
NeverVery often
16Blurts out answers before questions have been completed
NeverVery often
17Has difficulty waiting in line
NeverVery often
18Interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g. butts into conversations/games)
NeverVery often
19Loses temper
NeverVery often
20Actively defies or refuses to comply with adult’s requests or rules
NeverVery often
21Is angry or resentful
NeverVery often
22Is spiteful and vindictive
NeverVery often
23Bullies, threatens, or intimidates others
NeverVery often
24Initiates physical fights
NeverVery often
25Lies to obtain goods for favors or to avoid obligations (e.g. “cons” others)
NeverVery often
26Is physically cruel to people
NeverVery often
27Has stolen items of nontrivial value
NeverVery often
28Deliberately destroys others’ property
NeverVery often
29Is fearful, anxious, or worried
NeverVery often
30Is self-conscious or easily embarrassed
NeverVery often
31Is afraid to try new things for fear of making mistakes
NeverVery often
32Feels worthless or inferior
NeverVery often
33Blames self for problems; feels guilty
NeverVery often
34Feels lonely, unwanted, or unloved; complains that “no one loves him or her”
NeverVery often
35Is sad, unhappy, or depressed
NeverVery often

Academic Performance

Excellent = 1 | Above Average = 2 | Average = 3 | Somewhat of a Problem = 4 | Problematic = 5

36Reading
ExcellentProblematic
37Mathematics
ExcellentProblematic
38Written expression
ExcellentProblematic

Classroom Behavioral Performance

Excellent = 1 | Above Average = 2 | Average = 3 | Somewhat of a Problem = 4 | Problematic = 5

39Relationship with peers
ExcellentProblematic
40Following directions
ExcellentProblematic
41Disrupting class
ExcellentProblematic
42Assignment completion
ExcellentProblematic
43Organizational skills
ExcellentProblematic
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NICHQ Vanderbilt Assessment Scale Explained

The National Institute for Children’s Health Quality (NICHQ) Vanderbilt Assessment Scale consists of a symptom and impairment in performance evaluation that is used in the diagnostic of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children of 6 to 12 years, based on parent and teacher input.

The two assessments (parent and teacher) consist of three subtypes and 3 screens for other co-morbidities:

  • Predominantly Inattentive subtype;
  • Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive subtype;
  • ADHD Combined Inattention/Hyperactivity;
  • Oppositional-Defiant Disorder Screen;
  • Conduct Disorder Screen;
  • Anxiety/Depression Screen.

The scales are not meant to be used in isolation for ADHD diagnosis and should be accompanied by interviews and other information.

According to Wolraich et al. the scale has good internal reliability with Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of > .90 (parent) and >.89 (teacher). The scale also has adequate test-retest reliabilities (r=.27 - .34). Convergent validity is evidenced by the moderate to high correlations with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children-IV Parent Version.

The parent scale showed 80% sensitivity and 75% specificity in predicting a positive ADHD diagnosis. The combined (parent and teacher) scale, however, showed a 19% positive predictive value and a 98% negative predictive value, showing more reliability in identifying children who do not have ADHD.

 

Scoring Instructions

The two tables below describe the scoring of the two assessment scales, parent and teacher, where, to meet the DSM-IV criteria for diagnosis, certain cut-off scores must be met.

Scores of 2 or 3 on the symptom sections reflect often-occurring behaviors. Scores of 4 or 5 on the performance section reflect problems in performance.

NICHQ Vanderbilt Assessment Scale - Parent Assessment Scale

Subtype Scoring Instructions
Predominantly Inattentive Subtype Must score a 2 or 3 on 6 out of 9 items on questions 1–9
AND
Score a 4 or 5 on any of the Performance questions 48–55
Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive Subtype Must score a 2 or 3 on 6 out of 9 items on questions 10–18
AND
Score a 4 or 5 on any of the Performance questions 48–55
ADHD Combined Inattention/Hyperactivity Requires the above criteria on both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity
Oppositional-Defiant Disorder Screen Must score a 2 or 3 on 4 out of 8 behaviors on questions 19–26
AND
Score a 4 or 5 on any of the Performance questions 48–55
Conduct Disorder Screen Must score a 2 or 3 on 3 out of 14 behaviors on questions 27–40
AND
Score a 4 or 5 on any of the Performance questions 48–55
Anxiety/Depression Screen Must score a 2 or 3 on 3 out of 7 behaviors on questions 41–47
AND
Score a 4 or 5 on any of the Performance questions 48–55

NICHQ Vanderbilt Assessment Scale - Teacher Assessment Scale

Subtype Scoring Instructions
Predominantly Inattentive Subtype Must score a 2 or 3 on 6 out of 9 items on questions 1–9
AND
Score a 4 or 5 on any of the Performance questions 36–43
Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive Subtype Must score a 2 or 3 on 6 out of 9 items on questions 10–18
AND
Score a 4 or 5 on any of the Performance questions 36–43
ADHD Combined Inattention/Hyperactivity Requires the above criteria on both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity
Oppositional-Defiant/Conduct Disorder Screen Must score a 2 or 3 on 3 out of 10 behaviors on questions 19-28
AND
Score a 4 or 5 on any of the Performance questions 36–43
Anxiety/Depression Screen Must score a 2 or 3 on 3 out of 7 behaviors on questions 29–35
AND
Score a 4 or 5 on any of the Performance questions 36–43
 

References

Original reference

National Institute for Children’s Health Quality: NICHQ Vanderbilt Assessment Scales (Archived).

Other references

Wolraich ML, Bard DE, Neas B, Doffing M, Beck L. The psychometric properties of the Vanderbilt attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnostic teacher rating scale in a community population. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2013; 34(2):83-93.

Bard DE, Wolraich ML, Neas B, Doffing M, Beck L. The psychometric properties of the Vanderbilt attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnostic parent rating scale in a community population. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2013; 34(2):72-82.

Specialty: Psychiatry

Objective: Screening

Type: Scale

Year Of Study: 2002

Abbreviation: NICHQ VAS

Article By: Denise Nedea

Published On: July 21, 2020 · 12:00 AM

Last Checked: July 21, 2020

Next Review: July 21, 2025