Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale-IV (BAARS-IV)

Book excerpt: The Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale-IV (BAARS-IV) offers an essential tool for assessing current ADHD symptoms and domains of impairment as well as recollections of childhood symptoms. Directly linked to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria, the scale includes both self-report and other-report forms (for example, spouse, parent, or sibling). Not only is the BAARS-IV empirically based, reliable, and valid, but it is also exceptionally convenient to use. The long version takes the average adult 5-7 minutes to complete, and the Quick Screen takes only 3-5 minutes. Special features include a section of items assessing the newly identified symptoms of sluggish cognitive tempo, also known as the inattentive-only subtype of ADHD. Complete instructions for scoring and interpreting the scale are provided. See also the Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale (BDEFS for Adults), which assesses clinically significant executive functioning difficulties, and the Barkley Functional Impairment Scale (BFIS for Adults), which evaluates 15 major domains of psychosocial functioning. Includes Permission to Photocopy Enhancing the convenience and value of the BAARS-IV, the limited photocopy license allows purchasers to reproduce the forms and score sheets and yields considerable cost savings over other available scales. The large format and sturdy wire binding facilitate photocopying.