ADHD questionnaire for children
A free checklist of ADHD symptoms in children, based on the SNAP-IV questionnaire that doctors use. It cannot diagnose ADHD, but it can help you decide whether an assessment would help.
Take the free ADHD test for children
18 statements, about five minutes. Answer for how things have been over the last six months.
How to use it. Choose who is filling it in, then score each statement from 0 to 3. The summary counts the answers scored 2 or 3 in each part. There is no cut-off score: as a guide, if most answers in a part are 2 or 3, a further assessment would help. Difficulties can be with concentration only, with hyperactivity and impulsivity, or with both.
Children can mask their difficulties, and teachers do not always see them, especially with girls. A low score does not rule ADHD out, and a high score does not mean your child has it. The summary at the end explains what your answers suggest, and what sensible next steps look like.
Think about your child over the last six months, at home and anywhere else you see them. For each statement, choose how much it applies.
Think about this pupil over the last six months in class and around school. For each statement, choose how much it applies. Your answers stay on this page unless you print them.
Think about the last six months. For each statement, choose how much it sounds like you. There are no right or wrong answers.
Part 1: Attention
Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork or tasksFails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork or tasksI miss details or make careless mistakes in schoolwork or tasks
Has difficulty keeping attention in tasks or playHas difficulty keeping attention in tasks or playI find it hard to keep my attention on tasks or games
Does not seem to listen when spoken to directlyDoes not seem to listen when spoken to directlyPeople tell me I do not seem to listen when they talk to me
Does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores or dutiesDoes not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores or dutiesI do not finish schoolwork, chores or things I have been asked to do
Has difficulty organising tasks and activitiesHas difficulty organising tasks and activitiesI find it hard to organise my work and activities
Avoids or dislikes tasks that need sustained mental effort, such as homeworkAvoids or dislikes tasks that need sustained mental effort, such as homeworkI avoid or put off tasks that need a lot of thinking, like homework
Loses things needed for tasks or activities (toys, homework, pencils, books)Loses things needed for tasks or activities (toys, homework, pencils, books)I lose things I need, like homework, pens, books or my phone
Is easily distracted by things going on around themIs easily distracted by things going on around themI get distracted easily by things going on around me
Is forgetful in daily activitiesIs forgetful in daily activitiesI forget things in daily life
Part 2: Hyperactivity and impulsivity
Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in their seatFidgets with hands or feet or squirms in their seatI fidget with my hands or feet or squirm in my seat
Leaves their seat when they are expected to stay seatedLeaves their seat when they are expected to stay seatedI get up from my seat when I am expected to stay sitting
Runs about or climbs when it is not appropriateRuns about or climbs when it is not appropriateI feel restless, or move about when I should not
Has difficulty playing or doing leisure activities quietlyHas difficulty playing or doing leisure activities quietlyI find it hard to do things quietly
Is 'on the go' or acts as if 'driven by a motor'Is 'on the go' or acts as if 'driven by a motor'I feel 'on the go' or as if I am driven by a motor
Talks excessivelyTalks excessivelyI talk a lot, more than other people
Blurts out answers before questions have been finishedBlurts out answers before questions have been finishedI blurt out answers before the question is finished
Has difficulty waiting their turnHas difficulty waiting their turnI find it hard to wait my turn
Interrupts or intrudes on othersInterrupts or intrudes on othersI interrupt people or butt in
The bigger picture (optional)
Two quick questions that help the summary. Doctors look at how long difficulties have lasted and where they show up, not just how often they happen.
Your summary
Attention
0 of 9 often or very often
Hyperactivity and impulsivity
0 of 9 often or very often
What this suggests
Sensible next steps
This is not a diagnosis and there is no pass mark. It shows how one person sees things at one point in time. Nothing you choose is sent or saved: it stays on this page.
What to do with the results
Print your answers, or ask your child's teacher to fill in their own copy. If you are worried, take them to your GP, who can check for other causes and refer you to NHS services.
Only a trained specialist, usually a paediatrician or a child psychiatrist, can diagnose ADHD, after a full assessment that looks at home and school. Our guides to NHS or private ADHD assessments and how to choose a private ADHD assessment explain the options honestly.
If you do choose a private assessment, you can read how our ADHD assessment for children works.
About the SNAP-IV questionnaire
The statements come from the SNAP-IV rating scale, developed by James Swanson, Edith Nolan and William Pelham and widely used by doctors and researchers. It is in the public domain. The 18 statements match the symptoms of ADHD that doctors look for: nine about attention, and nine about hyperactivity and impulsivity.
The young person version is our own first-person wording of the same statements, for children of about 11 and over.
Questions parents ask
Is this an ADHD test for children?
It is a screening questionnaire, not a test that can diagnose ADHD. ADHD can only be diagnosed by a trained specialist, usually a paediatrician or psychiatrist, after a full assessment that looks at more than one setting.
What score means my child has ADHD?
There is no pass mark. As a guide, if most answers in a part are 2 or 3, a further assessment would help. Difficulties can be in concentration only, in hyperactivity and impulsivity only, or in both.
Can my child's teacher fill it in?
Yes. Choose 'Teacher' at the top and print the result, or print a blank copy for school. Teachers see children in a different setting, so their view adds a lot.
My child scored low but I am still worried. What should I do?
Trust your instinct. Children can mask their difficulties, especially girls, and teachers do not always see them. A low score does not rule ADHD out. Ask your child's teacher to fill in the teacher version, keep notes for a few weeks, and talk to your GP or the school SENCO if you are still concerned.
Is anything I enter saved?
No. Your answers stay in your browser on this page. Nothing is sent to us or stored. If you close the page, the answers are gone.
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