What an ADHD screener is designed to do
Screening tools are designed to be sensitive enough to flag people who may benefit from further assessment. Widely used adult measures include the WHO Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS). A positive screen means “look more closely”, not “you definitely have ADHD”.
Why screening and diagnosis are different
ADHD symptoms overlap with sleep problems, anxiety, depression, trauma, autism, substance use, physical health conditions and periods of extreme stress. A proper diagnostic process considers alternative explanations and whether difficulties were present across development and settings.
What to bring to a clinical assessment
Developmental history
Examples from childhood, school reports where available, and information from someone who knew you when you were younger can be helpful.
Current impact
Concrete examples from work, study, relationships, organisation, driving, finances, sleep and daily responsibilities are more useful than labels alone.
What ADHDclearfocus does
Our 39-question profile is an educational self-awareness tool covering attention, executive function, emotional regulation, working memory, time perception, hyperfocus, rejection sensitivity-related experiences, developmental history and life impact. It is not presented as a diagnostic instrument.
Sources
Kessler RC et al. (2005), WHO Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale; Ustun B et al. (2017), JAMA Psychiatry, WHO ASRS-5; Faraone SV et al. (2021), World Federation of ADHD International Consensus Statement.
Want a structured view of your own pattern?
The ADHDclearfocus 39-question self-assessment maps ten ADHD-related areas. It is educational and does not diagnose ADHD.
Take the free self-assessment →Browse ADHD strategiesPrepared by the ADHDclearfocus editorial team and clinically reviewed by Focused Care Psychology. Last reviewed 3 September 2026. Educational information only; not diagnosis or individual medical advice.