Authors

C. Keith Conners, Ph.D; Drew Erhardt,Ph.D & Elizabeth Sparrow, Ph.D

Description

The Conner's Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS) quantitatively measure ADHD symptoms across clinically significant domains, while examining the manifestations of ADHD in adults based on scientific literature and the authors' clinical experience.  The CAARS results can help you identify contributing factors to a client's problem in clinical, research, rehabilitation, and correctional settings.

The CAARS elicit self-report and observer ratings to give a multiple-informant assessment.  The self-report (CAARS-S) and observer forms (CAARS-O) address the same behaviours and contain identical scales, subscales, and indexes.  Raw scores and T-scores are produced for each scale, subscale, and index.

Normative data for the self-report forms consist of 1,026 nonclinical adults, while the observer forms consist of friends of 943 nonclinical adults.  Separate norms are available by gender and age-group intervals (18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50+ years).

Long Versions:  The long self-report (CAARS-S:L) and observer (CAARS-O:L) forms included 66 items and contain nine empircally derived scales that assess a braod range of problem behaviours.  They include three DSM-IV Symptom measures (Inattentive, Hyperactive-Impulsive, and Total ADHD Symptoms), a 12-item ADHD Index, and an Inconsistency Index for identifying random or careless responding.  Long versions produce scores for the following areas:

Factor-Derived Subscales

• Inattention/Memory Problems
• Hyperactivity/Restlessness
• Impulsivity/Emotional Liability
• Problems with Self-Concept

DSM-IV ADHD Symptoms Subscales:

• Inattentive Symptoms
• Total ADHD Symptoms
• Hyperactive-Impulsive Symptoms
• ADHD Index
• Inconsistency Index

Short Versions:  The short self-report (CAARS-S:S) and observer (CAARS-O:S) forms contain 26 items that comprise abbreviated versions of the factor-derived subscales that appear in the long versions.  The ADHD Index and the Inconsistency Index are also incorporated. Designed to display key dimensions when time with respondents is limited, the short versions produce scores for the following areas:

Factor-Derived Subscales

• Inattention/Memory Problems
• Hyperactivity/Restlessness
• Impulsivity/Emotional Liability
• Problems with Self-Concept

ADHD Index
Inconsistency Index

Screening Versions:  The CAARS screening versions (CAARS-S:SV and CAARS-O:SV) include the same 12-item ADHD Index of the long and short versions, as well as the DSM-IV ADHD Symptom Subscales (18 items that relate to DSM-IV criteria for ADHD).  Ideal for quick identification, the screening versions address the following areas:

DSM-IV ADHD Symptoms Subscales:

• Inattentive Symptoms
• Total ADHD Symptoms
• Hyperactive-Impulsive Symptoms

ADHD Index

Features

• Excellent reliability & validity
• Sets a new standard in adult evaluation and treatment monitoring
• Long, short and screening versions available
• Paper & Pencil QuikScore format for handscoring
• Computer Scoring available offering two computer generated reports

Reports

CAARS can be hand or computer scored.

CAARS is currently offered in online format for use with MHS Scoring Organiser.  MHS Scoring Organiser is an internet-based client management program and is free with your purchase of MHS online reports.  MHS Scoring Organiser helps you manage all your MHS online asssessment tools.  You can instantly generate reports and customise them to suit your purpose.  You can then save them, print them, export them, or integrate the results with your MHS Professional Tool Suite software programs.  You can also track your report uses.

Quikscore forms are easy to administer & handscore.    Profile forms are included where you can quickly plot raw scores for conversion to T-scores.  The resulting profile provides the individual's assessment scores and comparision with the appropriate age and gender normative group.  Profile forms are ideal for result presentation and to monitor treatment progress.

1. Profile Reports - are available for all three versions (long, short and screening) of the CAARS-self & CAARS-observer.
2. Interpretive Reports - contain detailed descriptions of the scales, a list of evaluated item repsonses, and intervention strategy suggestions are available for only the long and short versions of each.

(See Conners' Adult ADHD History Forms product page on this website for further information.)

Now Available -  Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS): For Use in Correctional Settings
The CAARS: For Use in Correctional Settings Supplement (27 pages) is now available.  This is a corrections-focused multidimensional assessment of adult ADHD.  Studies show that ADHD is found in correctional settings at a relatively high rate and that adults with ADHD are at an especially high risk to recidivate.  The CAARS help to detect ADHD promptly so you can develop the best rehabilitation and release plan.

Complementary Products

• CAADID
• CPTII
• CDS-R

Sample Reports

CAARS Interpretive Report - Observer (Long)
CAARS Interpretive Report - Observer (Short)
CAARS Interpretive Report - Self Rating (Long)
CAARS Interpretive Report - Self Rating (Short)
CAARS Profile Report - Observer (Long)
CAARS Profile Report - Observer (Short)
CAARS Profile Report - Self Rating (Long)
CAARS Profile Report - Self Rating (Short) 

NB: Prices are in Australian dollars inclusive of GST. NZ customers need to log in to view ex-GST prices.