Table of Contents
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Acronyms | ACOS |
| Description | The ADHD Clinical Outcome Scale (ACOS; Adamis et al., 2024) is a concise tool developed to measure clinical outcomes in adults with ADHD, focusing on attention/organizational issues, hyperactivity/impulsivity, comorbidities, substance use, self-harm, and relationship tension. It includes clinician-administered and self-report versions, finalized after expert reviews and pilot testing. |
| Author | Adamis, Dimitrios; Singh, Jasmin; Coada, Iulian; Wrigley, Margo; Gavin, Blánaid; McNicholas, Fiona |
| Purpose | To routinely measure clinical outcomes in adults diagnosed with ADHD, evaluating key symptoms and related challenges. |
| Construct | ADHD Clinical Outcomes |
| Instrument Type | Inventory/Questionnaire |
| Test Type | Original |
| Test Year | 2024 |
| Affiliation | Sligo Mental Health Services Adult ADHD Clinic; National Clinical Programme for Adult ADHD; Department of Psychiatry, University College Dublin |
| Correspondence Address | [email protected] |
| Files | No file is available for download. |
| Format | Each item is rated on a five-point Likert scale. |
| Factors and Subscales | Factors: Attention/Function; Dysregulation; Comorbidities; Risk-Taking Behaviours. |
| Reliability | Interrater Reliability: Pearson correlation for total ACOS score was r = 0.868 (P < 0.001). Internal Consistency: Cronbach’s alpha was 0.928. Test-Retest Reliability: Intraclass correlation was 0.829 (95% CI: 0.786–0.867, P < 0.001). |
| Validity | Concurrent Validity: Total ACOS scores showed significant correlations with AAQoL (r = −0.573, P < 0.001), AAQoL psychological health scores (r = −0.547, P < 0.001), and WFIRS scores (r = 0.477, P < 0.001). |
| Population Details | Location: Ireland; Respondents: Adults with ADHD. |
| Age Group | Adulthood (18+). |
| Keywords | ADHD Symptoms; Attention/Function; Comorbidities; Dysregulation; Risk-Taking Behaviours. |
| Reference | Adamis, D., Singh, J., Coada, I., Wrigley, M., Gavin, B., & McNicholas, F. (2024). Measuring clinical outcomes in adult ADHD clinics: Psychometrics of a new scale, the Adult ADHD Clinical Outcome Scale. BJPsych Open, 10, Article e180. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2024.739 |
ACOS Scales: Clinician and Patient Versions
These scales are designed to assess the severity of various problems, symptoms, and behaviors over the past two weeks. They include a Clinician’s Scale and a Patient’s Self-Rating Scale.
I. ACOS Clinician’s Scale
Instructions: Rate the severity of each item for the patient over the last 2 weeks based on the following scale:
0 = No problem
1 = Minor problem, but no need to be addressed clinically.
2 = Mild problem present, but may not need clinical action.
3 = Moderately severe problem, clinical action is needed.
4 = Severe problem
5 = Very severe problem
Patient Information:
Name: _______________________________
Date: _______________________________
Date of Birth: _______________________________
Medications: _________________________________________________________________________
Rating Table:
| Problems/Symptoms/Behaviors | Score |
| Hyperactivity/Restlessness | |
| Attention difficulties | |
| Temper/Anger outbursts | |
| Problems with alcohol and drugs | |
| Emotional fluctuation (dysregulation) | |
| Disorganization | |
| Impulsivity | |
| Tension in relationships | |
| Self-harm | |
| Problems with procrastination | |
| Anxiety problems | |
| Depression problems | |
| Sleep problems | |
| College/Work difficulties | |
| Difficulties in everyday personal life | |
| Total Score |
II. ACOS Patient’s Scale (Self-Rating)
Instructions: Please rate how troubled you have been by each of the following items during the PAST 2 WEEKS.
Patient Information:
Name: _______________________________
Date: _______________________________
Date of Birth: _______________________________
Rating Table:
| During the PAST 2 WEEKS, how troubled have you been by… | Not at all (0) | A little (1) | Somewhat (2) | A lot (3) | Very much (4) | Extremely (5) |
| Hyperactivity/Restlessness | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Pay attention when doing things | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Temper/Anger outbursts | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Problems with alcohol and drugs | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Ups and downs in your mood | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Organizing things | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Impulsivity | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Tension in relationships | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Self-harm | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Postponing things | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Anxiety problems | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Depression problems | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Sleep problems | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| College/Work difficulties | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Difficulties in everyday personal life | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Cite this article
Mohammed looti (2026). ADHD Clinical Outcome Scale (ACOS). PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES. Retrieved from https://scales.arabpsychology.com/s/adhd-clinical-outcome-scale-acos/
Mohammed looti. "ADHD Clinical Outcome Scale (ACOS)." PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES, 4 Apr. 2026, https://scales.arabpsychology.com/s/adhd-clinical-outcome-scale-acos/.
Mohammed looti. "ADHD Clinical Outcome Scale (ACOS)." PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES, 2026. https://scales.arabpsychology.com/s/adhd-clinical-outcome-scale-acos/.
Mohammed looti (2026) 'ADHD Clinical Outcome Scale (ACOS)', PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES. Available at: https://scales.arabpsychology.com/s/adhd-clinical-outcome-scale-acos/.
[1] Mohammed looti, "ADHD Clinical Outcome Scale (ACOS)," PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES, vol. X, no. Y, ص Z-Z, April, 2026.
Mohammed looti. ADHD Clinical Outcome Scale (ACOS). PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES. 2026;vol(issue):pages.