ADHD Clinical Outcome Scale (ACOS)

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:

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: